Fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law are core values of the European Union. Embedded in its founding Treaties they have been reinforced by the Charter of Fundamental Rights , which has the same legal value as the Treaties. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was first drafted in June 1999 with the goal of covering all rights pertaining to the EU's citizens, including those rights based on the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter.

All social values proclaimed and fostered by the Church are inherent in the dignity of the human person. In essence these are truth, justice, freedom and love. These values constitute the indispensable point of reference both for the Church and for secular public authorities. Putting them into practice is, thus, a necessary way of promoting a democratic human social existence.According to Catholic Social Teaching, the roots of the Fundamental Rights are to be found in the human dignity that belongs to each human being (cf. Pastoral Constitution, Gaudium et Spes, 47).

COMECE deals with fundamental rights issues within the framework of its Legal Affairs Commission, which is a forum for discussion, and for exchange of information on current legal and political matters pertaining to the institutional setting of the Union.

The reflections of COMECE are based upon the respect for and the promotion of fundamental rights and values as proclaimed in Europe of Values, The ethical Dimension of the European Union: "over and above policies and institutions, the European project rests first and foremost upon values, upon an ethical view of life and of society. Any community based on law should also be based on values".

COMECE has issued a number of documents related to this broad area:
• A Europe of Values, The ethical Dimension of the European Union
• Developing fair non-discrimination EU legislation
• Proposal for a Strategy of the European Union for the Support of Marriage and Family

In the area of Fundamental Rights, the main issues of concern for COMECE are: