The European Union recognizes the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter of December 7 2000, with the amendments introduced on December 12 2007.

The Charter came into force with the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon on December 1st, 2009, and has the same legal value as the European Union Treaties. For this reason, secondary EU legislation, including regulations, directives and decisions, must comply with the Charter.

The Charter guarantees a wide range of civil, political, economic and social rights, inspired in particular by the ECHR, the common constitutional traditions of the Member States, and the European Social Charter.

Fundamental rights guaranteed by the EU legal framework shall apply in all situations governed by EU Law.

The Court of Justice of the European Union, which has its seat in Luxembourg, is competent to interpret and apply the Charter, in particular by providing the necessary guidance to national courts whenever they are required to apply the Charter in cases within their jurisdiction.