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consumers, a special Consumer Rights Tool is available online which
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helps EU citizens to solve any issue related to their consumer rights.
EU citizens enjoy equal human rights protection notwithstanding
their origin, sex, linguistic group, culture, profession ability, etc. The
principle of equality in the EU rests on an assumption that fundamental
freedoms and rights and equality before the law, that is, the rule of law,
are equally applicable to all EU citizens.
The European Union is against capital punishment, torture, human
trafficking and all forms of discrimination. The EU strictly protects
the political, economic, cultural and social rights of its citizens. The
European Union insists on the inclusion of provisions on human rights
protection in those international agreements of which it is a part.
Needless to say, this list is not complete and represents only a
part of the EU’s accomplishments. However, it is enough to explain the
strong motivation of the EU’s neighbors to join the Union.
EU accession implies that any applicant state has to reform and
modernize its country in order to be competitive in the EU market. At the
same time, the applicant must ensure that EU law is fully integrated into
the national legal system and that the law is effectively implemented
by state administrative institutions and the judiciary. As a result, the
applicant has to achieve the stability of democratic institutions in
order to ensure the rule of law and the protection of human rights,
including minority rights. Through such steps, the applicant country
should improve to the level which will enable it to efficiently assume
the responsibilities of an EU member state.
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Your rights when shopping
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/shopping-consumer-
rights/index_en.htm