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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Opinion
Adottati on 25/10/2023
Referenza: 
SOC/776-EESC-2023
Sessjoni plenarja: 
582 -
Oct 25, 2023 Oct 26, 2023

The EESC welcomed the European Commission's proposal to modernise the EU legislative framework against corruption by incorporating international standards, including those in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The EESC recommended that Member States adopt rules in a number of areas, including on incompatibility, lobbying, access to elected officials, recruitment of public officials and funding of political parties. Other ways to reinforce anti-corruption measures would be through an extension of the competences of the EU Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the creation of an independent corruption prevention authority at EU-level. The opinion also suggested to extend the legal basis of the Directive and introduce speedy procedures to administer justice for corruption-related crimes.

Opinjoni tal-KESE: Update of the anti-corruption legislative framework

Opinion
Adottati on 21/09/2023
Referenza: 
SOC/762-EESC-2023
Sessjoni plenarja: 
581 -
Sep 20, 2023 Sep 21, 2023

Opinjoni tal-KESE: Civil society support and funding in the area of fundamental rights, the rule of law and democracy

Opinion
Għaddejjin (updated on 29/11/2023)
Referenza: 
INT/1042-EESC-2023
Sessjoni plenarja: 
583 -
Dec 13, 2023 Dec 14, 2023

This initiative aims at providing detailed rules to support the smooth functioning of the cooperation and consistency mechanism established by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Opinjoni mressqa mis-sezzjoni tal-KESE: GDPR - additional procedural rules

Opinion
Adottati on 27/04/2023
Referenza: 
SOC/751-EESC-2023
Sessjoni plenarja: 
578 -
Apr 26, 2023 Apr 27, 2023

Le CESE convient de la nécessité de collecter et de transférer de manière efficace les informations préalables sur les passagers et les données des dossiers passagers aux fins de la gestion des frontières et de la lutte contre l’immigration illégale, ainsi que pour des raisons de sécurité, notamment la prévention du terrorisme et des formes graves de criminalité et la lutte contre ceux-ci. Il reconnaît qu’il est nécessaire d’harmoniser la mise en œuvre et le suivi du cadre juridique applicable afin d’éliminer les disparités résultant des pratiques multiples des États membres, d’accroître la sécurité juridique, d’accélérer le flux des passagers et de réduire les difficultés administratives que rencontrent les transporteurs aériens.

Opinjoni tal-KESE: Advance Passenger Information

Opinion
Adottati on 27/04/2023
Referenza: 
SOC/752-EESC-2022
Sessjoni plenarja: 
578 -
Apr 26, 2023 Apr 27, 2023

The EESC welcomes the Commission's proposal to amend the Anti-Trafficking Directive, as it agrees with the need for further progress and improvement in the fight against trafficking in human beings and the protection of victims. The gender dimension in the content and implementation of the directive should be strengthened, given that the vast majority of victims are women and girls. The EESC believes that the directive should pay greater attention to victims of trafficking, and wishes to highlight the Member States' obligation to care for and protect victims and ensure their social inclusion as far as possible.

Opinjoni tal-KESE: Anti-trafficking directive

Opinion
Adottati on 22/03/2023
Referenza: 
SOC/750-EESC-2022
Sessjoni plenarja: 
577 -
Mar 22, 2023 Mar 23, 2023

Opinjoni tal-KESE: Strengthening the role and independence of equality bodies

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