According to Article 21(1) TEU, the Union’s action on the international scene must be guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

However, according to the study entitled ‘The Implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the EU institutional Framework’, ‘the ability for the EU to effectively promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law in its bilateral diplomacy and in multilateral fora, depends on it acting in full compliance with these values at home’.

Regarding this matter, one of the main findings of the study is that ‘in the design and implementation of the Union’s internal policies and legislation, references to international human rights standards could be more systematic’.

What does the Commission intend to do to remedy this situation?