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.

The Union's policy and international action are also guided by its commitments and obligations concerning human rights and development, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the UN Declaration on the Right to Development.

EMPHASIZING that this Agreement shall be without prejudice to the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the Community, the Member States of the European Union and the Russian Federation arising from International Law including International Human Rights law rules, as confirmed, in particular, by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December 1948, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966, the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951 and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees of 31 January 1967, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and ...[+++]Fundamental Freedoms of 4 November 1950 and Protocol No 4 thereto of 16 September 1963, and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 10 December 1984,

[15] It is important to note that similar data protection principles have been laid down in international instruments regarding the protection of privacy and personal data, such as: Art. 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16. December 1966, the UN Guidelines for the Regulation of Computerized Personal Data Files (UN General Assembly Resolution 45/95 of 14 December 1990), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Recommendation of the Council concerning guidelines governing the pro ...[+++]tection of privacy and trans-border flows of personal data, and the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (ETS No. 108) and the Additional Protocol to that Convention (ETS No. 181), which are also open to adhesion for non-European States.

[15] It is important to note that similar data protection principles have been laid down in international instruments regarding the protection of privacy and personal data, such as: Art. 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16. December 1966, the UN Guidelines for the Regulation of Computerized Personal Data Files (UN General Assembly Resolution 45/95 of 14 December 1990), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Recommendation of the Council concerning guidelines governing the pro ...[+++]tection of privacy and trans-border flows of personal data, and the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (ETS No. 108) and the Additional Protocol to that Convention (ETS No. 181), which are also open to adhesion for non-European States.

(6) Whereas Community action to promote human rights and democratic principles is rooted in the general principles established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;