Key texts
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.
Article 2
The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.
Official source: Consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union, Official Journal of the European Union, C 326, 26 October 2012, p. 17
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Full legal reference: EUR-Lex – Consolidated Text (PDF)
Source: EUR-Lex
Full text: Treaty of Lisbon (PDF)
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
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.
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Full text: Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (EUR-Lex)
Full legal reference: EUR-Lex – Consolidated Text (PDF)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – 10 December 1948
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.