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REPORT (2024/2078(INI))

On the Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law Report

A-10-2025-0100

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: Ana Catarina Mendes

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This resolution responds to the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report, covering judicial independence, anti-corruption, media freedom, civil society, equality, and the rule of law toolbox. It calls for stronger enforcement, expanded monitoring, and specific actions from EU institutions and member states.

Committee position. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs proposes a resolution that welcomes the Commission's report but calls for stronger enforcement, expanded scope, and concrete actions to address rule of law challenges.

Key points

  1. Calls for independent judiciaries, transparent judicial appointments, and protection from political interference, including disciplinary procedures handled by independent bodies.
  2. Urges the Commission to monitor judicial independence, ensure timely implementation of CJEU and ECtHR judgments, and launch infringement procedures when needed.
  3. Calls for improved access to justice, including free legal aid, adequate resources, and training for judges, with attention to marginalised groups.
  4. Demands stronger anti-corruption measures, including EU membership in GRECO, codes of conduct for judges, and protection for whistle-blowers.
  5. Calls for expanding the EPPO's mandate and urging all member states to join it, while enhancing cooperation among EU bodies against corruption.
  6. Welcomes the anti-corruption directive proposal and calls for robust implementation, including transparency in lobbying and political financing.
  7. Calls for swift implementation of the European Media Freedom Act, protection of journalists, and measures against SLAPP lawsuits and hate speech.
  8. Condemns state control of media and spyware abuse, urging the Commission to implement PEGA recommendations and ensure media regulator independence.
  9. Calls for a safe environment for civil society and human rights defenders, opposing 'foreign agent laws' and disproportionate restrictions on protests.
  10. Urges action against discrimination, including hate crimes, gender-based violence, and LGBTIQ rights, and calls for extending EU crimes to include hate speech.
  11. Calls for integrating rule of law milestones into EU funding, suspending funds to Hungary until benchmarks are met, and applying the Conditionality Regulation.
  12. Calls for expanding the rule of law report to cover all Article 2 TEU values, including fundamental rights, and to include a chapter on EU institutions.

Who is affected

  • Member states: must implement recommendations, ensure judicial independence, combat corruption, protect journalists and civil society, and respect fundamental rights.
  • EU institutions (Commission, Council): must enforce rule of law, expand monitoring, and apply conditionality mechanisms.
  • Candidate and potential candidate countries: subject to rule of law assessments and must align with EU values.
  • Civil society organisations and human rights defenders: need protection and enabling environment.
  • Journalists and media: need safety, protection from SLAPP, and media freedom.

Figures and deadlines

  • 74% of respondents thought the EU plays an important role in upholding the rule of law; 89% believed it is important for all Member States to respect core values.
  • 68% of Europeans considered corruption widespread in their country, 65% believed high-level corruption cases are not pursued sufficiently, and 41% believed corruption has increased.
  • Commission to issue a communication by 31 December 2025 detailing which Parliament requests it will implement.

Legal basis: Articles 2, 3(1), 3(3), 4(3), 5, 6, 7, 11, 19 and 49 TEU; Articles 70, 258, 259, 260, 263, 265 and 267 TFEU