Promoting and protecting human rights
There are two main streams of human rights policy and action within the European Union. One is to protect the fundamental human rights for EU citizens, and the other is to promote human rights worldwide.
The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees EU citizens’ rights. The Charter lays down the fundamental rights that are binding upon EU institutions and bodies. It also applies to national governments when they are implementing EU law.
The European Union is based on a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law worldwide. Human rights are at the heart of EU relations with other countries and regions.
EU policy includes:
- promoting the rights of women, children, minorities and displaced persons
- opposing the death penalty, torture, human trafficking and discrimination
- defending civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
- defending human rights through active partnership with partner countries, international and regional organisations, and groups and associations at all levels of society
- inclusion of human rights clauses in all agreements on trade or cooperation with non-EU countries
News
European Commission Speech Brussels, 19 May 2022 Mesdames et Messieurs,
Je suis heureux de vous retrouver pour la présentation de l'édition 2022 du Tableau de bord de la justice de l'Union européenne.
Aujourd'...
European Commission Questions and answers Brussels, 19 May 2022 Today, the European Commission has published the 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard, which gives a comparative overview of the efficiency, quality and independence of j...
European Commission Press release Brussels, 19 May 2022 Today, the European Commission has published the tenth edition of the 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard, an established annual overview providing comparative data on the efficiency, quality and independence of justice systems in the Member States.