Protection of human rights is one of the core values of the EU. Here is a link to application of the EU's human rights policy, included the EU Reports on Human Rights, EU human rights guidelines, overview of election observation, etc. documents. Internally, the EU's founding treaties include human rights, which are protected under the EU Member States’ legislation. The Charter on Fundamental Rights of the European Union contains the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of European citizens and all persons resident in the EU (but the Charter didn't give the EU new competences). For its external action, the EU has developed an extensive human rights "toolbox," which includes human rights guidelines, démarches and declarations, Council decisions, human rights dialogues, the inclusion of human rights and gender components in Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations. These are complemented by activities funded under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and other programmes, as well as action in multilateral forums (UN, OSCE, Council of Europe). The EU's human rights competences are, however, not unlimited, but the EU can act only in areas, over which it has competence under the Treaties. Link: http://eeas.europa.eu/_human_rights/index_en

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