Rättighetsstadgan

Rättighetsstadgan, or the Charter of Fundamental Rights, is a legally binding document within the European Union. It proclaims a set of fundamental rights and freedoms for EU citizens and residents. The Charter was proclaimed in Nice in 2000 and became legally binding with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009.

The Charter is divided into six titles, covering dignity, freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizens' rights, and justice. It incorporates rights that were previously recognized in various sources, including the European Convention on Human Rights, national constitutional traditions, and other EU legal instruments. The rights enshrined in the Charter include civil and political rights, as well as economic and social rights.

The Charter applies to EU institutions and bodies, as well as to Member States when they are implementing EU law. It aims to strengthen the protection of fundamental rights within the EU and to provide a single, consolidated reference point for these rights. While it does not extend the scope of EU law beyond the powers conferred by the Treaties, it ensures that fundamental rights are respected within the areas where the EU has competence. The Charter is a crucial element of the EU's legal order, reinforcing its commitment to human rights and democratic values.