The Version in Force: the 2007 Charter of Fundamental Rights and Explanations, and Extracts from the Treaties (Lisbon consolidated version)

AuthorCoghlan, Niall; Steiert, Marc
Pages165-218
IV
(Notices)
NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
COUNCIL
COMMISSION
(2007/C 303/01)
14.12.2007 EN Official Journal of the European UnionC 303/1
165
I.3. THE VERSION IN FORCE: THE 2007 CFREUCharter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission solemnly proclaim the following text as
CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Preamble
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 anarea of freedom, security and justice.
The Union contributes to the preservation and to thedevelopment ofthese 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 seeks to promote balanced and sustainabledevelopment and ensures free movement of
persons, services, goods 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 Charter reaffirms, with due regard for the powers and tasks of the Union and for the principle of
subsidiarity, the rights as they result, in particular, from the constitutional traditions and international
obligations common to the Member States, the European Convention for the Protection of
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Social Charters adopted by the Union and by the
Council of Europe and the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and of the European
Court of Human Rights. In this context the Charter will be interpreted by the courts ofthe Union and
the Member States with due regard to the explanations prepared under the authority of the Praesidium
of the Convention which drafted the Charter and updated under the responsibility of the Praesidium of
the European Convention.
Enjoyment of these rights entails responsibilities and duties withregard to other persons, to the human
community and to future generations.
The Union therefore recognises the rights, freedoms and principles set out hereafter.
C 303/2EN Official Journal of the European Union14.12.2007
166
I.3. THE VERSION IN FORCE: THE 2007 CFREUCharter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
TITLE I
DIGNITY
Article 1
Human dignity
Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected.
Article 2
Right to life
1.Everyone has the right to life.
2.No one shall be condemned to the death penalty, or executed.
Article 3
Right to the integrity of the person
1.Everyone has the right to respect for his or her physical and mental integrity.
2.In the fields of medicine and biology, the following must be respected in particular:
(a)the free and informed consent of the person concerned, according to the procedures laid down by
law;
(b)the prohibition of eugenic practices, in particular those aiming at the selection ofpersons;
(c)the prohibition on making the human body and its parts as such a source of financial gain;
(d)the prohibition of the reproductive cloning of human beings.
Article 4
Prohibition of torture and inhuman ordegrading treatment or punishment
No one shall be subjected to torture orto inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 5
Prohibition of slavery and forced labour
1.No one shall be heldin slavery or servitude.
2.No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
3.Trafficking in human beings is prohibited.
14.12.2007 EN Official Journal of the European UnionC 303/3
167
I.3. THE VERSION IN FORCE: THE 2007 CFREUCharter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

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