What is the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union?

Passers-By Looking at Window Display at the Headquarters of National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage, ca. 1919 — The US National Archives

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter) brings together in a single document the fundamental rights protected in the EU and it serves de-facto as the EU Bill of Rights.

The Charters is EU “primary law”.

The Charter contains rights and freedoms under six titles: Dignity, Freedoms, Equality, Solidarity, Citizens’ Rights, and Justice.

Proclaimed in 2000, the Charter has become legally binding on the EU with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, in December 2009.

NOTE: You can access the Charter in all the languages of the EU here

Why does the Charter exist?

Key point:

The rights of every individual within the EU were established at different times, in different ways and in different forms. The Charter includes all of them all in a single document.

Suffragettes with flag — 1915 — The Library of Congress

The rights of every individual within the EU were established at different times, in different ways and in different forms. For this reason, the EU decided to clarify things and to include them…