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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  • Empowering civil society, rights defenders and justice practitioners and strengthening awareness of Charter rights

    Location

    Rue Belliard 99
    Brussels
    Belgium

    To improve the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights it is necessary to empower civil society organisations, rights defenders and justice practitioners, and strengthen people’s awareness of their rights under the Charter. CSOs and social partners are operating at grassroots levels and can help spread awareness and foster implementation. Moreover, the social partners have a special role in contributing to the implementation and defence of socio-economic fundamental rights.

  • European democracy action plan

    Location

    Belliard Street 99/101
    Brussels (Hybrid)
    Belgium

    For democracy to flourish, free media and civil society must be able to participate in an open debate, free from malign interference, and in an environment where facts are distinguished from fiction.

    The hearing will feed into the EESC Opinion on the Democracy Action Plan which lays the ground for the adoption of measures concerning the promotion of free and fair elections (including democratic engagement beyond elections), the strengthening of media freedom, and the countering of disinformation.

  • Fundamental rights and the rule of law – Report on the visit to Romania and authorities’ observations on the report

    Published in
    20 pages

    Report on the country visit to Romania – 11-12 June 2024 and Authorities’ observations on the report

    The report relays the views of Romanian civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law. This report has been communicated to the Romanian authorities, which in turn submitted their reply.

  • Fundamental rights and the rule of law – Report on the visit to Hungary and authorities’ observations on the report

    Published in
    25 pages

    Report on the country visit to Hungary – 23-24 June 2025 and Authorities’ observations on the report

    The report relays the views of Hungarian civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law. This report has been communicated to the Hungarian authorities, which in turn submitted their reply.

  • Fundamental rights and the rule of law – Report on the visit to Albania and authorities’ observations on the report

    Published in
    16 pages

    Report on the country visit to Albania – 2-3 April 2025 and Authorities’ observations on the report

    The report relays the views of Albanian civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law. This report has been communicated to the Albanian authorities, which in turn submitted their reply.

  • Feasibility study to generate statistics on climate-induced migration and ways forward

    Published in
    Study
    72 pages

    This feasibility study to generate statistics on climate-induced migration and ways forward sought to gather and review existing data on climate-induced migration, focussing on five Member States (France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain) and one candidate country (Türkiye), to inform an effective EU response. There is no universally agreed definition of climate-induced migration. The majority of population movements as a result of rapid onset events takes place within a country as opposed to across borders.

  • European Pillar of Social Rights: State of play in 2024

    Published in
    Study
    102 pages

    This study, commissioned by the European Economic and Social Committee, examines the state of implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan in 2024

  • Fundamental rights and the rule of law – Report on the visit to Serbia and authorities’ observations on the report

    Published in
    42 pages

    Report on the country visit to Serbia – 27-28 November 2024 and Authorities’ observations on the report

    The report relays the views of Serbian civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law. This report has been communicated to the Serbian authorities, which in turn submitted their reply.

  • Fundamental rights and the rule of law – Report on the visit to Austria and authorities’ observations on the report

    Published in
    16 pages

    Report on the country visit to Austria – 19-20 March 2025 and Authorities’ observations on the report

    The report relays the views of Austrian civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law. This report has been communicated to the Austrian authorities, which in turn submitted their reply.

  • Fundamental rights and the rule of law – Report on the country visit to Italy and authorities’ observations on the report

    Published in
    22 pages

    Report on the country visit to Italy – 16-17 October 2024 and Authorities’ observations on the report
    The report relays the views of Italian civil society on freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the rule of law. This report has been communicated to the Italian authorities, which in turn submitted their reply.

Displaying 101 - 110 of 172