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 by President Séamus Boland on 30 March 2023

    Conference on 'Civil society organisations defending and strengthening European democracy' organised by the EESC's Civil Society Organisations' Group

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • European Economic and Social Committee proposes concrete actions to counter threats to EU democracy

    Reference number
    15/2023

    On 23 March, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a plenary debate and adopted a resolution entitled "United for Democracy" with concrete proposals to strengthen democracies and democratic values across the European Union. Policymakers, experts, and organised civil society representatives agreed that civic education, better funding to social partners and a focus on the local dimension, are key to democracy in Europe.

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • We all have to be feminists to fight for the rights of all human beings

    Reference number
    65/2022

    The EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group held a public hearing on protecting women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. Participants in the debate called for free health services, access to contraception, more inclusive policies, and reproductive and sexual education. This debate was organised in collaboration with the EESC Equality Group as part of a series of EESC events following up on the European Parliament's Gender Equality Week initiative.

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • Speech by President Séamus BOLAND on ensuring gender equality and tackling gender-based violence

    EESC plenary debate linked to the adoption of the opinions SOC/726 on Combatting violence against women and SOC/731 on Gender equality, with Christina Fabre, Team leader on gender-based violence, European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).

  • The rule of law: understanding it better to defend it better

    "The rule of law: why should we care?" was the thought-provoking question put to participants in a hearing jointly organised by the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group and the International Bar Association (IBA) on 6 July 2022 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

  • Lifelong learning is an individual right for workers

    Lifelong learning will ensure jobs and decent living standards. However, in the absence of a standardised system across the EU, not all workers have opportunities to reskill and upskill during their careers, an EESC study finds

    Social Affairs
    Education and Training
    Employment
    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • The right to equality and non-discrimination must become a reality for everyone

    Statement to mark European Diversity Month by Séamus Boland, President of the Civil Society Organisations' Group of the EESC

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • Speech on 'The impact of COVID-19 on fundamental rights and the rule of law across the EU and the future of democracy' by Séamus Boland

    EESC plenary debate with Věra Jourová, European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, linked to the opinion SOC/691

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • Connecting EU seminar 2021 - Speech by President Séamus Boland

    Connecting EU seminar 2021 on 'What kind of Europe do you dream of?', panel on 'European democracy: how can we buttress press freedom in Europe against looming multiple threats?' - Lisbon, 19 November 2021

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights

  • Civil Society Organisations call for an EU Civil Society Strategy

    At a conference, organised by the Diversity Europe Group of the EESC in partnership with Civil Society Europe and with the support of the EESC's Liaison Group and Associational Life Category, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and their umbrella organisations reiterated their call for an EU Civil Society Strategy and a European Statute for Associations. Appropriate follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe and a regular and structured dialogue with CSOs were considered key aspects to rebuilding citizens' trust in politics and strengthening European democracy.

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights
Displaying 61 - 70 of 177