Understand Europe’s values and your fundamental rights.
A practical guide to EU values, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights — with real-life examples and a self-check quiz.
This initiative is presented by the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights. Our mission is to represent the Church of Scientology and its secular humanitarian programmes at European and international institutions — including the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the United Nations.
We are recognised as a Religious Entity by the Spain Ministry of Justice (no. 024742). EU Transparency Register: 872253227782-36. We also participate in the EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s civil society Platform of Fundamental Rights.
Brussels office: Boulevard de Waterloo 103 — within walking distance of the European quarter. Open to the public.
Quick map: EU vs Council of Europe
These are two different organisations — a common source of confusion.
European Union
27 member states. Economic and political union. Rights: EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Council of Europe
46 member states. Human rights body. Separate from the EU. Rights: ECHR.
The European project began with a powerful idea: cooperation to make war “not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible” — the Schuman Declaration (9 May 1950). In 2012, the EU received the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights.
What Europe tried to build
Peace through cooperation between former enemies.
Rules instead of power: shared laws, courts, and oversight.
Dignity for all: rights that cannot be removed by majority vote.
Why this matters for you
Your daily life — school, work, travel, online life, family, beliefs, speech — touches rights protected by EU law and the ECHR. Knowing them gives you tools.
📅Key milestones timeline›
1950
European Convention on Human Rights opened for signature.
1957
Treaty of Rome — the European Economic Community is born.
1993
Maastricht Treaty: EU citizens gain formal rights of citizenship.
2009
Lisbon Treaty: EU Charter of Fundamental Rights becomes legally binding.
In the EU Treaties, the Union is founded on: “respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.”
Freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion, privacy, education, and more — balanced with others’ rights.
⚖Equality›
Equality before the law, non-discrimination, cultural and religious diversity, and equal opportunities.
🤝Solidarity›
Social and workers’ rights, fair working conditions, social protection — how society looks after people.
🗳Citizens’ rights›
Rights connected to EU citizenship: petitioning, ombudsman, movement and residence.
🏛Justice›
Fair trial, presumption of innocence, legality and proportionality, and access to remedies.
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European Convention on Human Rights
The continent-wide human rights baseline
The ECHR is a Council of Europe treaty in force since 1953, supervised by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. It covers all 46 Council of Europe member states — not just EU countries.
Important: This page is educational and not legal advice. If you are considering a complaint, use the official guidance above and seek qualified legal help.
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Who protects your rights?
Institutions at every level
🇪🇺EU level›
Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU): interprets EU law and the EU Charter.
EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA): research and Charter tools. FRA ›
European Parliament (LIBE Committee): civil liberties oversight. Official page ›
European Ombudsman: investigates maladministration. Official site ›
⚖Council of Europe level›
European Court of Human Rights (Strasbourg): hears ECHR violation applications after domestic remedies are exhausted.
Council of Europe: promotes democracy and human rights across 46 states. ECHR overview ›
Have Your Say: give feedback on EU proposals. Official page ›
✈Move — experience Europe›
Erasmus+: over 16 million participants since 1987. Official site ›
European Solidarity Corps: volunteer and run solidarity projects. Youth Portal ›
❤Care — solidarity in your neighbourhood›
Tutoring, community clean-ups, helping the elderly, supporting migrants, promoting drug prevention, joining human rights campaigns. Rights become real when we protect each other’s dignity.
Mini-challenges (10 minutes each)
Challenge 1 — Spot the value
Pick one headline today. Which EU value is at stake: dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, or human rights?
Challenge 2 — Rights check
Choose one Charter right. Write: “In my city, this right matters because…”
Challenge 3 — Solidarity step
Do one small action this week that increases someone’s dignity. Share what you learned with a friend.
A pledge (optional)
Defend human dignity in how I speak, post and act — online and offline.
Listen before judging, especially across differences of belief and background.
Use democratic tools respectfully — facts first, people always.
Choose one solidarity action each month.
Encourage others to know their rights and responsibilities.
Connection to EU values: education, prevention, and volunteering are practical ways civil society can support dignity, freedom, equality, and human rights — Article 2 TEU. Article 2 TEU ›
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What’s next
Rights in a fast-changing Europe
Emerging challenges
Digital rights: data privacy, algorithmic decisions, platform accountability.
AI and fundamental rights: the EU AI Act and its rights implications.
Rule of law: independent courts and checks on power remain central.
Minority rights: protection across the continent remains vital.
Your role
Stay informed using official sources.
Participate in consultations and civic processes.
Speak up — respectfully but clearly — when rights are threatened.
Support civil society organisations working on rights you care about.
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Self-check quiz
Test what you’ve learned — 6 questions
out of 6 correct
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If you think your rights were breached
Step-by-step practical guide
Step 1 — Identify the framework
Was this about EU law (Charter scope) or a wider human-rights issue (ECHR and national law)? If not covered by EU law, complaints normally go to national authorities. How to report a breach ›
