Know your rights
Any citizen of the Union, and any natural or legal person residing or having its registered office in a Member State, has a right of access to documents of the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union, whatever their medium.
This right is enshrined in article 42 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
What to do if your rights have been breached
The authorities of EU countries are bound to comply with the Charter of fundamental rights only when implementing EU law. Fundamental rights are protected by your country's constitution.
Addressing your complaint to the relevant national authority, government, national courts or a specialised human rights body.
Related rights
Chapter 5 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is on citizens' rights. This chapter also contains the following rights
- right to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections to the European Parliament
- right to vote and to stand as a candidate at municipal elections
- right to good administration
- right of access to documents
- european ombudsman
- right to petition
- freedom of movement and of residence
- diplomatic and consular protection