Lisbon Treaty Makes EU Charter of Fundamental Rights Legally Binding

Yesterday, leaders of the European Union signed the Lisbon Treaty (full text), a document that restructures the EU's governance. (New York Times). Among its provisions is one that makes the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding on members. (Earth Times.) Article 10 of the Charter protects freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right "to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance." It goes on to recognize the right to conscientious objection in accordance with national laws governing the exercise of that right. A protocol to the Lisbon Treaty limits the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in Britain and Poland to rights recognized by the national law of those countries. Britain is concerned that the Charter might be used to override its labor laws, and Poland is concerned about the Charter's prohibitions on discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Lisbon Treaty will come into force only if all 27 EU members ratify it.