List of ContentsList of Contents Relationship between the Charter and the European Convention on Human Rights Independently of their obligations under EU law, Member States have made commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It is an international treaty aimed at protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, drafted by the Council of Europe. The observance of the ECHR is ensured by the European Court of Human Rights, a court established by the Council of Europe.When the Charter contains rights that stem from the ECHR, the meaning and scope of the rights are the same. The Charter strengthens the protection of fundamental rights in the EU.This means that you can – as a last resort, after exhausting all remedies available in your own country - bring an action before the European Court of Human Rights if you suspect that a Member State has violated the ECHR. The European Commission, as an institution of the European Union, however, does not have any power in respect of the procedures of the European Court of Human Rights and is not in a position to take steps in relation to complaints addressed to that court. Consult the admissibility checklist of the European Court of Human Rights The EU’s external action on human rights The EU works to uphold and promote its founding values also in its external action, including the respect for human rights. In particular, the EU works closely with international human rights organisations, such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe. See EU’s activities on human rightsPriorities for the EU’s cooperation with the Council of Europe are defined every other year in dedicated Council Conclusions. Through joint programming, the EU moreover funds projects that contribute to common goals of the two organisations.
