The role of human rights principle in EU relation with third countries case study: Iran

European Union is known as an international actor claiming a normative human rights dimension in its foreign policy and the literature on EU external policies is increasingly leaning towards normative power Europe approach. Considering some norms such as human rights principle in planning foreign policy is in many cases in conflict with other norms or interests of the EU. This study scrutinizes EU's human rights legislation and policies in its relation with third countries and explores the efficiency of these policies as well as the criticisms on them. Additionally, the inclusivity of normative power Europe approach in explaining the Union's external policies is tested. The groups of countries in relation with which the role of human rights principles has been studied are candidate countries, EU's neighbors, ACP countries, EU's strategic partners and other third countries. Iran was chosen as a case study where some of the main external relations concerns of the EU naming the norms of human rights and non-proliferation and the interest of security (nuclear issue) coincide. The contrasting effects of the policies inspired by these concerns on the human rights situation in Iran are demonstrated and EU's power based on the outcome of these policies is categorized. This is done through studying the human rights related measures taken by the EU in its relation with Iran including the Critical Dialogue and the Sakharov Prize (2012) awarded to two Iranian dissidents, along with the sanctions both on nuclear issue and human rights violators in Iran. In addition, it is concluded that these policies and their effects would confirm that to judge EU's position in international relations, it should be viewed in light of the dynamics between its normative power and its strategic interests. Keywords: Foreign Policy, Human Rights, Normative Power, Security Strategic Interests, Political Conditionality, European Union, Iran