Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law

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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.

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  • Speech on Civil Society Perspectives on the European Rule of Law Mechanism: Checks & Balances by President Séamus Boland

    Conference on "Civil society perspectives on the European Rule of Law Mechanism" organised by the EESC's Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC), Brussels, 4 November 2021

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • COVID-19 crisis should not turn into a crisis of democracy

    Disregard for social and economic rights, restrictions placed on fundamental rights with no end date, broad emergency measures adopted in haste and allowing little scrutiny by parliaments, the judiciary, and civil society - all these contribute to the erosion of public trust in public policies, which can have serious repercussions not only for people's health but also for the health of our democracies, an EESC hearing warned

  • Media freedom must stay at the top of our agendas

    Reference number
    39/2021

    In a plenary debate with Reporters without Borders and the European Federation of Journalists, the EESC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the pluralism and freedom of the media and guaranteeing absolute safety for journalists, amid alarming developments across the EU which have in the past few years claimed several reporters' lives.

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • Our new EESC web section highlights trends in the area of fundamental rights and the rule of law in the EU

    Presenting our new EESC web section!

    The findings from the FRRL Group's country visits are now available in an easily searchable database format. More content to follow soon!

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • The European Economic and Social Committee strongly condemns new attacks against LGBTIQ persons

    Statement by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    The EESC condemns in the strongest terms the attempt by Hungarian lawmakers to assimilate homosexuality with paedophilia in amendments that represent a new wave of legislative stigmatisation of LGBTIQ persons in the country.

  • Speech by Diversity Europe Group President Séamus on the Rule of Law, the New Strategy for the Implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Democracy Action Plan

    EESC plenary debate with Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • Statement on the breach of the US Capitol building

    The images of the riot at the United States Congress and of people infiltrating the Capitol Building are shocking, deplorable and a warning sign for all. The Workers' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee strongly condemns these events and declares its confidence in the democratic institutions of the United States.  All measures must be taken to ensure the peaceful and swift transfer of power to the rightfully elected President of the United States.

  • EESC study: Civil society support for EU values still strong but increasingly challenged

    EESC Diversity Europe Group red-flags possible consequences for future of European Union

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • Public hearing – Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030

    Location

    Room JDE63, JDE building, Rue Belliard 99-101, 1040
    Brussels
    Belgium

    The EESC will hold a public hearing to examine the recently adopted LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030. The event will bring diverse stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in implementing the strategy’s actions, enforcement of anti-discrimination norms, and strategies to ensure that EU policy frameworks meaningfully foster the Union of Equality. Key questions will focus on mainstreaming LGBTIQ+ equality, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, mechanisms for Member State engagement, and strategies for bridging gaps between EU-level and national practices.

  • Giving form to the future

    Photo exhibition
    -

    Location

    The Danish Society of Engineers (IDA)
    Copenhagen
    Denmark

    At the initiative of the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group, this exhibition showcases projects that have been coordinated by the Danish architecture firm BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.

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