The human rights analysis responds to the question of how the Free Trade Agreement may affect the human rights situation in both Australia and the EU. The assessment was carried out by taking into account the EC human rights impact assessment guidelines as well as using the Better Regulation Toolbox.
It is based on the international human rights normative framework, including core UN human rights treaties and conventions, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the European Convention on Human Rights and other relevant regional human rights conventions, core ILO Conventions, and, where relevant, customary international law.
In particular, the human rights analysis:
- identified the specific human rights most likely to be affected by measures included in the FTA under negotiation;
- analysed the extent to which measures foreseen in the free trade agreement may enhance or impair the enjoyment of the relevant rights and/or may strengthen or weaken the ability of the EU or Australia to fulfil or progressively realise their human rights obligations;
- identified individuals or specific groups of people or those living in a particular region that are likely to be specifically affected by those changes.
Particular attention was paid to women's rights and the effect that the trade agreement could have on gender equality, including possible differential effects on men and women. Gender aspects played an important role across all dimensions of the study, including the consultations.