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.

Displaying 41 - 50 of 176

  • The economic dimension of the rule of law

    The EESC:

    • highlights that respecting and enforcing fundamental rights and the rule of law are crucial for mutual trust between Member States. For investment and trade within the internal market to function properly, all economic operators must follow the law and trust that public authorities will do the same. This respect for the rule of law is essential for economic activity and makes a location more appealing to businesses. Protectionist measures that favour domestic companies over those from other EU countries violate the principle of equal treatment;
    • calls for the addition of a fifth pillar to the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report to better reflect the economic aspects of the rule of law;
    • recommends improving existing tools for addressing internal market infringements and using more EU pilot procedures. It stresses that a strong and independent judiciary, well-resourced public services, and bodies for monitoring and reporting legal breaches are essential for ensuring effective legal protection and upholding the rule of law.

  • EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group concludes a visit to Albania

    On 2-3 April 2025, the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) concluded a two-day visit to Tirana.

  • EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group concludes a visit to Austria

    On 19-20 March 2025, the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) concluded a two-day visit to Vienna.

  • Serbia: The right to peaceful protest must be respected and any escalation prevented

    The Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group has closely followed the large scale protests in Serbia following the tragedy in Novi Sad and aligns with the Statement on Serbia | EESC and Statement on the Right to Peaceful Assembly in Serbia | EESC.

  • Defending human rights in Europe - a high-stakes conversation with UN High Commissioner Volker Türk at the EESC

    On Tuesday 28 January, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the UN Human Rights Regional Office for Europe, in partnership with the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN), hosted an interactive dialogue between civil society representatives and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker TÜRK. The discussions highlighted concerns over shrinking civic space, disinformation, threats to democracy, the need for stronger protections for human rights defenders, migration policies, international justice and corporate accountability.

  • EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group concludes a visit to France

    On 27-28 November 2024, the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) concluded a two-day visit to Paris.

    This visit gave the opportunity to the group of five EESC Members to hear civil society representatives about key trends in France concerning fundamental rights of social partners, freedoms of association and assembly, freedom of expression (including media freedom), the right to non-discrimination, and the rule of law.

  • The EU needs a pan-European policy response to its housing crisis

    Greater use of digitalisation in the construction and housing industry and the involvement of social economy actors in housing provision can bring opportunities to address current challenges in the area of housing affordability and sustainability in Europe. Since housing is not just a need but a human right, a pan-European response to the various challenges is needed, according to a conference organised by the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 21 November, at which a new EESC study on the subject was presented.

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights
    Services of general interest
    Sustainable development
    Environment
    Digital Change and Information Society
    Social Affairs
    Consumers
    Housing

  • EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group concludes a visit to Italy

    On 16-17 October 2024, the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) concluded a two-day visit to Rome.

    This visit gave the opportunity to the group of six EESC Members to hear civil society representatives about key trends in Italy, concerning fundamental rights of social partners, freedoms of association and assembly, freedom of expression (including media freedom), the right to non-discrimination, and the rule of law.  

  • EESC urges stronger EU action on rule of law, highlights the announced civil society platform

    Just a few days after the nomination of a new European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued a strong call for a renewed commitment to the rule of law and fundamental rights within the EU. At its September plenary session, the EESC took stock of the current situation and debated ideas for a stronger EU response, including European Commission President von der Leyen's recent announcement of a long-anticipated civil society platform. 

  • The EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group calls on Serbia not to extradite Andrey Gnyot to Belarus

    The Presidency of the EESC's Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group (FRRL) is deeply concerned about the imminent risk of extradition from Serbia to Belarus of journalist Andrey Gnyot (Андрей Гнёт).

    Fundamental and Citizens Rights
    Social Affairs
Displaying 41 - 50 of 176