The Union's contribution to democracy and the rule of law and to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and other human rights instruments adopted within the framework of the United Nations (UN), as well as relevant regional human rights instruments.
Tá an rannchuidiú a dhéanann an tAontas le daonlathas agus leis an smacht reachta agus cearta an duine agus saoirsí bunúsacha a chur chun cinn agus a chosaint fréamhaithe sa Dearbhú Uilechoiteann um Chearta an Duine, sa Chúnant Idirnáisiúnta maidir le Cearta Sibhialta agus Polaitiúla agus sa Chúnant Idirnáisiúnta maidir le Cearta Eacnamaíocha, Sóisialta agus Cultúrtha, agus aon ionstraim eile um chearta an duine lena nglactar faoi chuimsiú na Náisiún Aontaithe (NA), chomh maith le hionstraimí réigiúnacha ábhartha maidir le cearta an duine.