Press Release: European Commission acts to bolster the EU’s system of protecting fundamental rights

The Commission proposed on 17 March 2010 negotiation directives for the Union's accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The Lisbon Treaty provides for the legal basis for the EU to accede to the ECHR, which is the most important instrument to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe. The EU's accession to the Convention will further strengthen the EU's system of protection of fundamental rights.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Memo: MEMO/10/84: European Commission proposes negotiation directives for Union's accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/84&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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