Guides de recherche · Research guides: Human Rights: European Human Rights System (2024)

The Directorate General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the human rights and rule of law standards of the Council of Europe, including the promotion of democracy through law, the operation of relevant treaties and related monitoring mechanisms and the development and implementation of activities in these fields.

Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are core values of the European Union. Embedded in its founding treaty, they have been reinforced by the adoption of a Charter of Fundamental Rights. Countries seeking to join the EU must respect human rights. So must countries which have concluded trade and other agreements with it.

• Council of Europe. Directorate of Human Rights and Legal Affairs

  The Directorate General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the human rights and rule of law standards of the Council of Europe, including the promotion of democracy through law, the operation of relevant treaties and related monitoring mechanisms and the development and implementation of activities in these fields.

• Council of Europe. Human Rights (Convention and Protocols only)

  See Also

  Bill of Rights: 1789-91

• European Union. Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) / Union européenne. L’Agence des droits fondamentaux

  The FRA helps to ensure that fundamental rights of people living in the EU are protected. It does this by collecting evidence about the situation of fundamental rights across the European Union and providing advice, based on evidence, about how to improve the situation. The FRA also informs people about their fundamental rights. In doing so, it helps to make fundamental rights a reality for everyone in the European Union.

• European Union. Human Rights

  Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are core values of the European Union. Embedded in its founding treaty, they have been reinforced by the adoption of a Charter of Fundamental Rights. Countries seeking to join the EU must respect human rights. So must countries which have concluded trade and other agreements with it.

• European Union. The Charter of Fundamental Rights

  The European Union's respect for human rights is based on Articles 6, 7 and 13 of the Treaty on European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Its activity focuses on combating discrimination, racism and xenophobia and on protecting minorities in fields such as asylum, immigration or employment.