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Charter of fundamental rights (link)
The Charter of Fundamental Rights consolidates all the fundamental rights applicable at the European Union (EU) level. Broader than the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, it establishes ethical principles and rights for EU citizens and residents that relate to dignity, liberty, equality, solidarity, citizenship and justice. In addition to protecting civil and political rights, it covers workers’ social rights, data protection, bioethics and the right to good administration.
The Charter is legally binding. In accordance with Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, it has the same legal value as the EU treaties. It applies only when EU institutions and EU countries are implementing EU law and does not extend the competences of the EU beyond those already granted in the treaties.
The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights was created to provide EU institutions and countries with assistance and expertise in the field of fundamental rights.
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European institutions
The institutional framework comprises 7 institutions:
- the European Parliament;
- the European Council;
- the Council of the European Union (simply called ‘the Council’);
- the European Commission;
- the Court of Justice of the European Union;
- the European Central Bank;
- the Court of Auditors.