Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

PURPOSE : to establish the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000Y1218). CONTENT : the peoples of Europe, in creating an ever closer union among them, are resolved to share a peaceful future based on common values. Conscious of its spiritual and moral heritage, the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity, it is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. it places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing the citizenship of the Union and by creating an area of freedom security and justice. The Union contributes to the preservation and to the development of these common values while respecting the diversity of the cultures and traditions of the peoples of Europe as well as the national identities of the Member States and the organisation of their public authorities at national, regional and local levels. It also seeks to promote balanced and sustainble development and ensures free movement of persons, goods, services and capital, and the freedom of establishment. To this end, it is necessary to strengthen the protection of fundamental rights in the light of changes in society, social progress and scientific and technological developments by making those rights more visible in a Charter. This is the purpose of this Charter. The Union therefore recognises the rights, freedoms and principles set out below: 1) Dignity : human dignity, the right to life, right to the integrity of the person, prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, prohibition of slavery and forced labour; 2) Freedoms : right ot liberty and security, respect for private and family life, right to marry and right to found a family, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, freedom of assembly and of association, freedom of the arts and sciences, right to education, freedom to choose an occupation and right to engage in work, freedom to conduct a business, right to property, right to asylum, protection in the event of removal, expulsion or extradition; 3) Equality : equality before the law, non-discrimination, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity, equality between men and women, the rights of the child, the rights of the elderly, integration of persons with disabilities; 4) solidarity : workers' rights to information and consultation within the undertaking, right of collective bargaining and action, right of access to placement services, protection in the event of unjustified dismissal, fair and just working conditions, prohibition of child labour and protection of young people at work, family and professional life, social security and social assistance, health care, access to services of general interest, environmental protection, consumer protection; 5) Citizens' Rights : right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament, right tovote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections, right to good administration, right of access to documents, Ombudsman, right to petition, freedom movement and of residence, diplomatic and consular protection; 6) Justice : right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial, presumption of innocence and right of defence, principles of legality and proportionality of criminal offences and penalties, right not to be tried or punished twice in criminal proceedings for the same criminal offence The provisions of this Charter are addressed to the institutions and bodies of the Union with due regard for the principle of subsidiarity and to the Member States only when they are implementing Union law. �