The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report
This resolution by the European Parliament addresses the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report, emphasizing the EU's foundational values of democracy, human dignity, equality, and respect for human rights. It calls for continued vigilance and action to uphold these principles across all Member States. The report and subsequent resolution affect all EU Member States, candidate countries, and EU institutions. It specifically highlights concerns regarding judicial independence, anti-corruption efforts, media freedom, and the protection of civil society organisations and minority rights. Key changes and obligations include a call for greater transparency in judicial appointments, stronger anti-corruption measures with deterrent penalties, enhanced protection for journalists against SLAPPs, and ensuring a safe environment for civil society organisations. It also stresses the need for equal treatment and non-discrimination before the law for all individuals. The resolution urges the Commission to systematically monitor compliance, initiate infringement procedures when necessary, and integrate findings into future rule of law reports. It also calls for the timely implementation of judgments from the Court of Justice of the EU and the European Court of Human Rights.
Analysis
The European Parliament reiterates that robust national legal systems are indispensable for Member States, candidate, and potential candidate countries, as the Commission relies on national judicial authorities to enforce EU law.
What changes
- The report calls for the Commission to include prison conditions as a rule of law concern in future reports, due to issues like overcrowding and inadequate living conditions.
- The report urges Member States to join the EPPO if they haven't already, to enhance the fight against corruption, especially concerning the protection of EU funds.
- The report calls for the Commission to present a renewed LGBTIQ strategy that fully addresses challenges across Europe and to propose legislative measures to combat hate crimes.
Expected impact
- The report emphasizes that the non-implementation of domestic and international judgments violates the rule of law, risks leaving people without remedy, and undermines public trust.
- The report notes that corruption erodes citizens' trust in public institutions, with a significant percentage of Europeans considering corruption widespread in their country.
- The report expresses concern over the shrinking civic space and increasing persecution of CSOs and HRDs, particularly those working on anti-racism, climate justice, LGBTIQ rights, women’s rights, and migrant support.
Limitations
- The document is a European Parliament resolution and does not contain specific legislative text that would allow for analysis of direct legal changes or amendments to existing regulations.
- The document refers to the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report but does not include the content of that report, limiting the ability to analyze specific findings or recommendations from it.
- The document is a political resolution and does not contain detailed economic or social data that would allow for a quantitative impact analysis.
Shadow Rapporteurs
Some data sources haven't been updated in over 48 hours.