EU charter of fundamental rights 'self-congratulatory'The controversial draft European Union (EU) charter of fundamental rights appears to be 'merely a vehicle for publicity and self-congratulation', the Law Society has claimed ahead of this week's EU summit in Lisbon.In a paper commenting on the draft, the Society's international human rights working party identified several flaws which would make the charter ineffective, such as applying it to EU citizens, rather than all those under the jurisdiction of EU member states.

Instead, it said, the EU should develop 'promptly a coherent, comprehensible and effective human rights policy that supports the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights, and informs both its internal and external policies, primarily through institutional reform'.The Society expressed concern at signs that the charter will serve as little more than a recital of rights contained in existing human rights treaties - which is what the UK government wants - and in a non-binding form.

A better starting point would be if all member states 'swallowed their own medicine' and signed up to all the treaties, which they have not as yet, the working party said.Mel James, secretary to the working party, said: 'I don't doubt all the intentions are very worthwhile, but we're not sure what the charter is going to achieve in practice.'Solicitor John Wadham, director of human rights group Liberty, said the charter is important 'because it gives rights to individuals against EU institutions'.

However, Liberty is unhappy because, he said, the UK government wants to water down the charter to the rights people already have - rather than introducing new rights - and not provide any new remedies.Neil Rose