The seriousness of the issue was made clear by the Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday in a report on fundamental rights in the EU for 2024 and 2025. These rights are enshrined in the EU Treaties and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Concerns about violations and setbacks are present across various areas. According to the Parliament, an increasing number of EU countries interpret the Charter independently, leading to inequalities. Regarding migration and asylum, MEPs call on EU countries to adhere to the EU migration pact, which emphasizes human rights.
Disinformation
The Parliament in Strasbourg is also worried about disinformation, foreign interference, and election manipulation. The European Parliament urges effective enforcement of the Digital Services Act, the AI regulation, and rules for political advertising,
Promotion
Additionally, violence, hate, and discrimination against women are violations of EU values that also concern the Parliament. It advocates recognizing femicide – the murder of women – as a separate crime. The rights of women and LGBTIQ+ individuals are regressing.
Protectors
The Parliament insists that human rights defenders and civil society organizations must be protected. They increasingly face legal and financial restrictions, as well as smear campaigns, intimidation, and criminalization. Therefore, they should receive sustainable EU funding, according to the MEPs. There should also be a rapid response mechanism for threatened organizations.
Racism
Vulnerable people and groups must be better protected, the MEPs say. They also call for measures against structural racism, better enforcement of equality legislation, the adoption of the horizontal anti-discrimination directive, and improved protection of people with disabilities.
Dutch MEP Anna Strolenberg (Volt, Greens/EFA) is one of the authors of the Rights report. She states: ‘Across Europe, the fundamental rights of all vulnerable groups are under pressure, while those who stand up for human rights are being silenced or even prosecuted.’ According to Strolenberg, fundamental rights are not negotiable. The question is whether the European Commission and the EU countries feel the same way.