European Parliament approved Charter

The European Parliament approved the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the site of the EP writes. The Charter was adopted with 534 votes in favour, 85 against and 21 abstentions. It should be reminded that this document is one of the basic ones for a new Reform Treaty, which substitutes the EU Constitution and is set to be signed in Lisbon on 13 December. The official ceremony of proclamation of the Charter is to take place in the European Parliament on 12 December.

What the approved Charter contains

The Charter sets out the fundamental human rights in the EU such as right to life (including abolition of capital punishment), right to the integrity of person (including prohibition of selection and reproductive cloning of human beings). The Charter prohibits tortures, slavery, forced labour, human traffic.

The document sets the right to liberty and security, respect to private and family life, protection of personal data, right to merry and found a family, rights for freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of the arts and sciences, right to education, freedom to choose an occupation and right to engage in work, freedom to conduct a business, right to property, right to asylum, protection in the event of removal, expulsion or extradition.

The Charter proclaims equality before the law, non-discrimination, equality between men and women, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity. The document acknowledges rights of the child and the elderly, integration of persons with disability. The Charter sets workers' right to information and consultation within the undertaking, right to strike, protection in the event of unjustified dismissal, fair and just work conditions. Besides, the rights to healthcare and environmental protection are written in the Charter.

The document also says every EU citizen can refer to the European Ombudsman if his or her rights are violated.

The Charter gives a right for the EU citizens to appeal against national governments and European governing bodies in the European Court in Luxemburg.