Implementation of human rights in foreign policy in the framework of the US case study

Human rights norms play a pivotal role in international relations. It?s importance and visibility have drastically changed after the end of the Cold War. Today, most of the international issues drawing public attention are human rights related. Democratic countries respecting human rights increasingly underline human rights norms in their bilateral and multilateral relations. This thesis tries to dwell on the relevance of human rights in states? foreign policies. ?Why human rights concerns emerge in foreign policy??, ?Does human rights foreign policy of a state really stems from moral concerns or it is used as a political tool??, ?What are the tools and difficulties of a human rights oriented foreign policy?? are the main questions answered in this thesis. The human rights foreign policy of the United States have been examined as a case study in the thesis to demonstrate why human rights concerns emerge in a state?s foreign policy. After examining the causes of a human rights oriented foreign policy, its tools and difficulties; a conclusion is drawn for the best practices.Key Words:1. Human rights2. Foreign Policy3. Self-image4. Universality of human rights5. Asian values