Foundational Texts on Human Dignity and Rights
One of Us draws its inspiration from the most important international and European texts that affirm the equal dignity of every human being. These foundational instruments clearly proclaim the inherent value of human life and the duty of societies to protect it. Below are key excerpts from the Treaty of Lisbon, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Treaty of Lisbon
Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon, 13 December 2007.
Source: EUR-Lex
Preamble
HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC,
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF DENMARK,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,
[…]
The Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, including the Protocols and Annexes, and Final Act with Declarations.
Lisbon, 13 December 2007
Full text: Treaty of Lisbon (PDF)
Article 1 – Treaty on European Union (Common Provisions)
By this Treaty, the HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES establish among themselves a EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter called “the Union”, on which the Member States confer competences to attain objectives they have in common.
This Treaty marks a new stage in the process of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe, in which decisions are taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen.
The Union shall be founded on the present Treaty and on the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as “the Treaties”). Those two Treaties shall have the same legal value. The Union shall replace and succeed the European Community.
Full legal reference: EUR-Lex – Consolidated Text (PDF)
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission solemnly proclaim the following text as the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Preamble
The peoples of Europe, in creating an ever closer union among them, are resolved to share a peaceful future based on common values.
Conscious of its spiritual and moral heritage, the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity; it is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. It places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing the citizenship of the Union and by creating an area of freedom, security and justice.
Title I — Dignity
Article 1 – Human dignity
Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected.
Article 2 – Right to life
1. Everyone has the right to life.
2. No one shall be condemned to the death penalty, or executed.
Article 3 – Right to the integrity of the person
1. Everyone has the right to respect for his or her physical and mental integrity.
2. In the fields of medicine and biology, the following must be respected in particular:
(a) the free and informed consent of the person concerned, according to the procedures laid down by law;
(b) the prohibition of eugenic practices, in particular those aiming at the selection of persons;
(c) the prohibition on making the human body and its parts as such a source of financial gain;
(d) the prohibition of the reproductive cloning of human beings.
Full text: Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (EUR-Lex)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – 10 December 1948
Adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations as resolution 217 A (III).
Preamble
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world;
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind;
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law;
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations;
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom;
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge;
Now, Therefore The General Assembly proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations…
Selected Articles
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status…
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.