The founding principles of the European Union are liberty, democracy and respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. The EU aims to build human rights concerns into all its policies and programmes. This fact sheet explains:— The legal framework that governs the EU’s human rights policy;— The tools and funds that the EU uses to support democracy and human rights in its relations with countries and organisations outside the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP Read more