Paragraph 2 refers to rights which were already expressly guaranteed in the Treaty establishing the European Community and have been recognised in the Charter, and which are now found in the Treaties (notably the rights derived from Union citizenship).
Tagraíonn mír 2 do chearta a ráthaíodh go sainráite roimhe seo sa Chonradh ag bunú an Chomhphobail Eorpaigh agus a aithníodh sa Chairt agus atá le fáil anois sna conarthaí (go háirithe na cearta a chineann ó shaoránacht den Aontas).