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

• Author: Coghlan, Niall; Steiert, Marc
• Pages: 165-218

IV

(Notices)

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

COUNCIL

COMMISSION

CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

(2007/C 303/01)

14.12.2007 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 303/1

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I.3. THE VERSION IN FORCE: THE 2007 CFREU Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission solemnly proclaim the following text as

the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

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 an area of freedom, security and justice.

The Union contributes to the preservation and to the development of these 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 sustainable development 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 of the 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 with regard to other persons, to the human

community and to future generations.

The Union therefore recognises the rights, freedoms and principles set out hereafter.

C 303/2 EN Official Journal of the European Union 14.12.2007

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I.3. THE VERSION IN FORCE: THE 2007 CFREU Charter 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 of persons;

(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 or degrading treatment or punishment

No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 5

Prohibition of slavery and forced labour

1. No one shall be held in 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 Union C 303/3

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I.3. THE VERSION IN FORCE: THE 2007 CFREU Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union