THE IMPACT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ON THE ACTIVITIES OF PARLIAMENT, COUNCIL AND COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

Thirteen years since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, which enables the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights to reach the same legal value as the EU Treaties (EU Treaty and TFEU), and almost twenty-two years have passed since the first declaration of this Charter at the European Council Summit in Nice by the three major political institutions of the European Union, the Parliament, the Council and the Commission, on 7 December 2000. During this period, it is important to reveal and analyze what kind of effects the rights included in the Charter of Fundamental Rights have had on the implementations of the EU's political institutions and organs. Over the recent years, the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission have strengthened their fundamental rights protection and developed a solid toolbox to ensure that EU legislation and policies fully respect the Charter. As a legal instrument aiming to effectively protect the rights of EU citizens, the actual impact and use of the Charter and how it is implemented by the three most important institutions of the EU in this process have been evaluated.