Ekonomik entegrasyonun Avrupa Birliği'nin insan hakları yaklaşımının gelişimiyle ilişkisi

This thesis intends to understand whether the European Union (EU)'s economic integration has had an effect on the development of its human rights approach by exploring the relationship between economic integration and human rights in the EU. To answer the research question of the thesis (has the EU's economic integration influenced the development of its human rights approach?) first, the historical evolution of human rights approach of the EU is outlined. Then, from comparative regionalism perspective, the relationship between economic integration and human rights in the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) is explored by reviewing the relevant literature to draw insights for the EU case as well as analysing this relationship in general. While Mercosur case highlights the distinct features of the EU path especially in terms of its institutional design and legal framework, it also reveals some common patterns with regard to the link of economic integration and human rights in regional integration projects that have a strong economic dimension. Lastly, the relevance of economic integration of the EU to its approach towards human rights, in the light of the insights drawn from literature review and the findings derived from the history of human rights of the EU, is examined. The thesis concludes with the argument that economic integration of the EU has had a significant influence on the route of the development of its human rights approach, along with several other components.