The European Union and Human Rights

Abstract

This paper thoroughly examines the evolution of human rights protection within the European Union (EU), charting its progression from a predominantly economically driven organization into one that now actively upholds and recognizes fundamental human rights. Initially, the EU’s founding treaties, such as the Treaty of Rome, focused almost exclusively on economic

integration, deliberately omitting any explicit provisions related to human rights protection. Over time, as the EU's competencies expanded, particularly in areas of governance, law, and political authority, the absence of human rights safeguards became a pressing issue. This need for comprehensive protection led to increasing attention on human rights within the EU legal framework, culminating in the creation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in 2000. The Charter, later given full legal effect by the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009, now holds equal legal status to the EU’s founding treaties, marking a significant turning point in the Union’s legal landscape. The paper also explores the essential role played by the European Court of Justice in interpreting, reinforcing, and upholding human rights through its landmark rulings. These rulings notably incorporate principles from the European Convention on Human Rights and the shared constitutional traditions of Member States.

Furthermore, the paper discusses the EU’s planned accession to the European Convention on Human Rights. This anticipated move would hold the EU accountable for potential violations of human rights and subject its institutions to oversight by the European Court of Human Rights. This process illustrates the EU’s deepening commitment to aligning its laws with broader European human rights standards. Ultimately, the paper concludes that the EU’s growing emphasis on human rights strengthens its overall legal framework, enhances its legitimacy, and improves its standing on both the European and global stages.