Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law

This page is also available in:

The EU is not only a common market; it is a union of common values that shape the European identity. These values are set out in the Treaty on the European Union and also include the rights, freedoms and principles laid out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights: the "indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity; [the Union] is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. It places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing the citizenship of the Union and by creating an area of freedom, security and justice."

The Charter brings together into a single text all the personal, civic, political, economic and social rights enjoyed by people within the EU and apply to the EU institutions and Member States when they implement EU law.

The EESC is very active in the promotion of fundamental rights, the rule of law and democracy, and especially in the fight against discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, disability or gender. In 2018, it established the Group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law to further expand analysis of the situation across Europe and promote a constructive dialogue amongst all stakeholders.

  • Trends in the EU from a civil society perspective

    In July 2019, the European Commission published a Communication entitled 'Strengthening the rule of law within the Union – A blueprint for action', which details actions on the promotion, prevention, and response aspects. The EESC, on its side, made proposals in a series of key Opinions over the past years, and has set up a transversal Group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law (FFRL) in 2018. The FRRL Group leads country visits and seeks to provide a forum for European CSOs to share their assessment on the state of fundamental rights, democracy and rule of law in the Member States.

  • The hearing will discuss the socio-economic causes of the rise of populism in suburban and rural areas.

  •  

    The EESC Group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law will hold a public hearing with a large audience of Polish civil society stakeholders to discuss the topics of freedom of assembly and freedom of association on 5 December in Warsaw, Poland.

  • Published in
    12 pages

    Approach and priority areas of the Civil Society Organisations' Group for 2024

  • Published in
    20 pages

    Call for an EU Blue Deal - Event highlights - 26 October 2023

  • Published in
    117 pages

    This report provides an overview of the visits organised by the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) group in 2022.

  • Published in
    14 pages

    This report summarises the main activities led by the ad-hoc Group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law (FRRL) between 2020 and 2023.

  • Published in
    9 pages

    Report on the country visit to Croatia – 30-31 March 2023
    This report relays the views of Croatian civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law.

  • Published in
    8 pages

    Report on the country visit to Slovenia – 17-18 November 2022
    This report relays the views of Slovenian civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law.

  • Published in
    9 pages

    Report on the country visit to Portugal – 6-7 October 2022
    This report relays the views of Portuguese civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law.