Fundamental Values of the European Union
The Foundational Principles of the European Union
The European Union is established upon a set of core values that define its identity and guide its legal and political framework. These values serve as the bedrock for the integration of member states and the protection of its citizens, ensuring a unified approach to governance and civil liberties. These principles are not merely cultural or historical aspirations but are legally codified obligations through the Treaty on European Union, specifically within Article .
Human Dignity
Human dignity is considered the source and the ultimate foundation of all fundamental rights within the European legal and ethical context. It is defined as being inviolable, meaning it is an inherent quality of every human being that cannot be compromised, diminished, or suspended under any circumstances. According to the EU framework, human dignity must be respected and protected by all institutions, bodies, and member states. It provides the moral basis for all other rights, including the right to life and the absolute prohibition of torture or degrading treatment.
Freedom
Freedom within the European Union encompasses a broad spectrum of individual, political, and economic liberties designed to protect the autonomy of the individual. On a personal level, this value includes the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as well as the freedom of expression and the right to information. Collectively, it is manifested through the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association. Furthermore, the Union guarantees the movement of persons, which is one of the four fundamental freedoms of the internal market, allowing citizens the right to travel, reside, work, and study across all member states without discrimination based on nationality.
Democracy
The functioning of the European Union is founded on the principle of representative democracy. This ensures that the primary source of political legitimacy is the citizen. At the Union level, European citizens are directly represented in the European Parliament, for which members are elected every five years. Additionally, Member States are represented in the European Council by their Heads of State or Government and in the Council of the EU by their respective governments. These representatives are themselves democratically accountable either to their national Parliaments or to their citizens, ensuring a chain of democratic legitimacy that links the individual to the European decision-making process.
Equality
Equality is a central pillar of European society, emphasizing the principle that all individuals are equal before the law. This value mandates the strict prohibition of discrimination on any grounds, including sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. A specific and crucial aspect of this value is the principle of equality between women and men, which must be promoted and ensured in all areas of social and economic life, including employment, professional advancement, and equal pay for equal work. The value of equality also extends to the protection of persons belonging to minorities, ensuring that the Union remains a pluralistic society.
The Rule of Law
The rule of law signifies that every action taken by the European Union and its member states is based on treaties that have been approved voluntarily and democratically by all member states. This principle ensures that all public powers always act within the constraints set by the law, in accordance with the values of democracy and fundamental rights. A vital component of the rule of law is the requirement for an independent and impartial system of justice and judicial review. This ensures that every citizen and legal entity has the right to a fair trial and that the law is applied consistently and predictably, providing legal certainty across the Union.
Human Rights
Human rights are the fundamental protections afforded to every individual, ensuring they are treated with fairness and respect by the state and judicial systems. These rights are legally protected by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which brings together all the personal, civic, political, economic, and social rights enjoyed by people within the EU in a single, coherent document. These rights include protections against discrimination, the right to the protection of personal data, and the right to access to justice. The Union is committed to promoting these rights not only within its own territory but also in its global relations, advocating for the rights of the most vulnerable and the rights of persons belonging to minorities on the international stage.