Fundamental rights and the rule of law - Report on the visit to Poland and authorities’ observations on the report

As part of the EESC’s efforts to promote fundamental rights and the rule of law, a delegation from the EESC’s Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group visited Poland on 15 and 16 December 2025. The delegation met with several representatives of civil society, more specifically civil society organisations (CSOs), the social partners, the media and the legal professions. A separate meeting was held with the Polish authorities, during which they had the opportunity to respond to some of the points presented to them. The aim of this report is to faithfully reflect the views of civil society. The last visit of the EESC’s Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group to Poland had been on 3-5 December 2018.

The above-mentioned meetings were framed under the five following themes:

• Fundamental rights related to social partners
• Freedom of association and freedom of assembly
• Freedom of expression and freedom of the media
• Non-discrimination
• The rule of law

The input received during the meetings has been included in a report drafted by the delegation members. This report has been communicated to the Polish authorities, which in turn submitted their reply.