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Maria K.-Greece Our Values 1. Human Dignity Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected, protected and constitutes the real basis of fundamental rights. 2. Freedom Every citizen has the right and the freedom to speak about their beliefs. 3. Democracy The functioning of the EU is founded on representative democracy. Being a European citizen also means enjoying political rights. Every adult EU citizen has the right to stand as a candidate and to vote in elections to the European Parliament. EU citizens have the right to stand as candidate and to vote in their country of residence, or in their country of origin. 4. Equality Equality is about equal rights for all citizens before the law. 5. Rule of Law The EU is based on the rule of law. Everything the EU does is founded on treaties, voluntarily and democratically agreed by its EU countries. Law and justice are upheld by an independent judiciary. The EU countries gave final jurisdiction to the European Court of Justice whose judgments have to be respected by all. 6. Human Rights Human rights are protected by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. These cover the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, the right to the protection of your personal data, and or the right to get access to justice. Every person in Europe should respect these values for a better and more organized life. By respecting these values we give opportunities to us and other people to live our lives as freely as we can.