Year of entry into force: 1974
Region: Europe
Human rights: Freedom from discrimination, Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, Right to a clean environment, Right to education, Right to housing, Right to liberty and security of person, Right to social security, Right to work
Excerpts
The Instrument of Government
Chapter 1. Basic principles of the form of government
Art. 2. Public power shall be exercised with respect for the equal worth of all and the liberty and dignity of the individual.
The personal, economic and cultural welfare of the individual shall be fundamental aims of public activity. In particular, the public institutions shall secure the right to employment, housing and education, and shall promote social care and social security, as well as favourable conditions for good health.
The public institutions shall promote sustainable development leading to a good environment for present and future generations.
The public institutions shall promote the ideals of democracy as guidelines in all sectors of society and protect the private and family lives of the individual.
The public institutions shall promote the opportunity for all to attain participation and equality in society and for the rights of the child to be safeguarded. The public institutions shall combat discrimination of persons on grounds of gender, colour, national or ethnic origin, linguistic or religious affiliation, functional disability, sexual orientation, age or other circumstance affecting the individual.
The opportunities of the Sami people and ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities to preserve and develop a cultural and social life of their own shall be promoted.
Chapter 2. Fundamental rights and freedoms
Art. 5. Everyone shall be protected against corporal punishment. No one may be subjected to torture or medical intervention with the purpose of extorting or suppressing statements.
Art. 12. No act of law or other provision may imply the unfavourable treatment of anyone because they belong to a minority group by reason of ethnic origin, colour, or other similar circumstances or on account of their sexual orientation.