As regards the Member States, it follows unambiguously from the case-law of the Court of Justice that the requirement to respect fundamental rights defined in the context of the Union is only binding on the Member States when they act in the scope of Union law (judgment of 13 July 1989, Case 5/88 Wachauf [1989] ECR 2609; judgment of 18 June 1991, Case C-260/89 ERT [1991] ECR I-2925; judgment of 18 December 1997, Case C-309/96 Annibaldi [1997] ECR I-7493).
Maidir leis na Ballstáit, eascraíonn sé go glan soiléir as cásdlí na Cúirte Breithiúnais nach bhfuil an ceanglas maidir le cearta bunúsacha a urramú, a shainítear i gcomhthéacs an Aontais, ceangailteach arna Ballstáit ach amháin nuair a ghníomhaíonn siad laistigh de raon feidhme dhlí an Aontais (breithiúnas an 13 Iúil 1989, Cás 5/88 Wachauf [1989] ECR 2609; breithiúnas an 18 Meitheamh 1991, Cás C-260/89 ERT [1991] ECR I-2925; breithiúnas an 18 Nollaig 1997 (C–309/96 Annibaldi [1997] ECR I–7493).