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by | April 10, 2014 | Uncategorized

EPHA Briefing | Human Rights, Fundamental Rights and Equal Treatment Legislation in Europe

The Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) hosts the 7th Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP) meeting on 10-11 April in Vienna. EPHA, as FRP member organisation, stresses the importance of civil society involvement in Fundamental Rights discussions and takes this opportunity to publish its Briefing on Human Rights, Fundamental Rights and equal treatment legislation in Europe since the Right to Health is Fundamental. The briefing explores the different human rights instruments (1), examines human rights in Europe (2) their relation to the right to health (3), gives an overview about fundamental rights in Europe (4) and presents the current situation as regards equal treatment legislation in Europe (5).

Human Rights Instruments

Human rights are those that are recognised and guaranteed by a number of international legal instruments. Human rights create minimum standards, but not comprehensive guidelines for life. Most human rights, as guaranteed by treaties, require strict legal interpretations as to what they do and do not cover. The UN Charter states that ‘promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms’ is one of the purposes of the United Nations. Since the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, the UN Member States have cooperated on the creation of a range of human rights treaties.

Human Rights in Europe

Europe has a longstanding tradition of protecting human rights where different international organisations, such as the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) or the Council of Europe monitor the situation. The latter organisation is a political organisation set up to defend the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has particular importance since its judgements are legally binding and therefore often seen as more effective than the opinions of UN-style committees. The European Social Charter sets out social rights and establishes a supervisory mechanism, guaranteeing their respect by the States Parties.

Human Rights and Health
The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right of every human being was enshrined in WHO’s Constitution. In the UN framework, the right to health is an inclusive right, extending not only to timely and appropriate health care, but also to the underlying determinants of health, such as access to safe, drinkable water and adequate sanitation, healthy occupational and environmental conditions, and access to health-related education and information, including on sexual and reproductive health. The Special Rapporteur on the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health implements the mandate through different means and activities. The WHO Health and Human Rights Publication Series aim to clarify the relationship between human rights and specific health topics

Fundamental Rights in Europe
Recognising the importance of Fundamental Rights, the first European Convention was convened to prepare and draft the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Fundamental rights, as presented in this Charter, are more than just principles, they draw from several different legal sources, such as: constitutional traditions and international obligations common to Member States, the primary law of the EU (the Treaties), the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Social Charters adopted by the EU and the Council of Europe, and the case law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). As regards the legal landscape in the EU, several institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, European Ombudsman, Court of Justice of the European Union and the Fundamental Rights Agency) are responsible for implementing these fundamental rights.

Equal treatment legislation in Europe
TFEU Article 19 19 provides the EU with a legal basis to combat all forms of discrimination based on sex, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The objective of Directive 2000/43/EC is to combat discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, which is supplemented by the Directive 2000/78/EC on equal treatment in employment and occupation.

 

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