The horizontal effect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

The Charter of fundamental rights has acquired a binding legal force since the coming into effect of the Treaty of Lisbon. Hence, the institutions of the European Union and member states when they implement the law of the European Union are bound by the provisions of the Charter. But the addressees of this legal instrument should not be only public authorities. Individuals, whenever it could impinge on freedoms and basic rights, should be subject, to compliance with the Charter when the matter falling the scope of EU law. In other words, the Charter of fundamental rights should have legal effects in private law relations when there is a connecting link to EU law. Horizontal effect would allow individuals to have full enjoyment of rights enshrined in the Charter. Public authorities must therefore, in keeping with their positive obligations, protect the rights derive from the provisions of this legal instrument. Therefore, the recognition of horizontal effect of the Charter will create obligations for both institutions of European Union and member states and private persons.