The European Parliament and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Abstract

This Chapter examines the role of the European Parliament in promoting the respect of fundamental rights within and outside the European Union. The authors submits that the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty will enhance the position of the EP as a central actor for the protection of fundamental rights within and outside the European Union. Besides from the important links that should be developed with the national parliaments and the Fundamental Rights Agency, the binding force attributed to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the future accession to the ECHR are considered to particularly noteworthy. On the one side, the breach of rights contained in the CFR amounts to a violation of the Treaty and constitutes autonomous ground for annulment or compensation. On the other side, should the Union fail to comply with the standard set by the ECHR, it would be possible to turn to the Strasbourg Court.