EUrechten

EUrechten is a term used to describe the body of rights guaranteed within the European Union's legal order. It encompasses civil, political, economic, and social rights derived from EU treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The Charter, proclaimed in 2000 and made legally binding on the EU and its member states with the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, sets out fundamental rights for EU citizens and residents, including dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizen rights, and justice.

Key rights include freedom of movement and residence for EU citizens and their family members; the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections in any member state under certain conditions; non-discrimination on grounds such as nationality, race, gender, age, religion, or disability; the right to privacy and the protection of personal data; access to justice, fair trial, and procedural safeguards; and consumer protection within the internal market. The EU also recognizes rights related to cross-border healthcare and certain social and employment protections through specific directives and case law. In addition to the Charter, EU law protects a wide range of rights through treaties and secondary legislation.

Enforcement and interpretation are provided by EU institutions and the judiciary. The European Court of Justice interprets and applies EU rights, and national courts can refer questions to the ECJ for a preliminary ruling. The European Commission monitors compliance and can initiate infringement procedures. Members States, when applying EU law, are bound to respect EUrechten, and individuals can invoke these rights before national or EU courts. Rights may be limited by proportionality and legitimate aims such as national security or public health, within the EU’s rule-of-law framework.