Ad hoc group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law

The ad hoc group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law (FRRL) is a horizontal body within the EESC tasked to provide a forum for European civil society organisations to meet and share their assessment on the state of fundamental rights, democracy and rule of law in the Member States.

In its work, the FRRL group focuses on key fundamental rights and rule of law issues that are particularly relevant to civil society. While this is done through visits in all EU Member States and contacts with the national civil societies, the objective is to highlight trends in Europe in order to offer the basis for constructive dialogue amongst all stakeholders.

The FRRL group aims to promote respect for the European values listed in Article 2 TEU, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as the checklist on the rule of law by the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. Its objective is to address all rights - as civic, political, economic, social and cultural rights are indivisible - and, given the mandate of the EESC, to pay particular attention to the rights which are key to civil society, including social partners: freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression (including freedom of the media), the right to non-discrimination, and the more general rule of law situation.

The group was established in January 2018.

For latest updates on the FRRL group work programme, check the document below. (word document)