A new report from the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group of the EESC highlights the growing challenges civil society organisations face in Europe. The report was unveiled on 7 November during the FRRL Group's conference on the current state of the rule of law and its impact on civic space.

The fourth annual EESC conference on fundamental rights and the rule of law examined the emerging trends and challenges, and civil society's indispensable role in overseeing and upholding the rule of law based on the FRRL Group report and on the European Commission's 2023 Rule of Law Report.

President Oliver Röpke emphasised the centrality of defending freedom, democracy and human rights, and proposed the establishment of a Civil Society Forum on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law. European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, mentioned the vital role of civil society in upholding the rule of law, calling for its protection, support and empowerment.

The Commission's 4th Rule of Law Report was adopted in July 2023. Like the 2022 report, it contains country-specific recommendations for each Member State. This year's report also assesses the progress made in implementing recommendations from the previous year, roughly two-thirds of which have been fully or partially addressed, according to the Commission.

During the conference, the EESC FRRL Group released its report based on country visits to Greece, Finland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden in 2022. The report reveals that no Member State is exempt from challenges, and identifies trends and pressing threats to fundamental rights and the rule of law in Europe. These challenges include obstacles encountered by civil society organisations in securing funding, evolving socioeconomic changes in the media sector and persistent issues related to the speed of justice – all of which are evident across various European countries.

Paul Soete, President of the FRRL Group, calls for stronger support at national and EU levels to safeguard civic space and democracy as a whole. (gb)