Citizens: fundamental rights, security and justice

Citizens: fundamental rights, security and justice

EU citizens have the right to travel, live and work throughout the Union. An effective system has been put in place and is constantly evolving in order to fully implement these rights. The Charter of Fundamental Rights brings together in one single text all the rights of the individual, grouping them around several major principles: human dignity, fundamental freedoms, equality, solidarity, citizens’ rights and justice. All citizens have the right to petition Parliament on any matter in a field for which the Union is competent. The European Citizens’ Initiative enables citizens to promote the adoption of laws deemed necessary for the purpose of implementing the Treaties. The Lisbon Treaty introduced several new features to the area of freedom, security and justice, including a more efficient and democratic decision-making procedure, increased powers for the Court of Justice of the EU, and a new role for national parliaments.