Justice, rule of law & rights › Fundamental rights

Latest decisions

1. Deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung

   This resolution concerns the situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong, following the arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung. Parliament adopted the text as its official position, condemning the eradication of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong and the use of the 2020 National Security Law against journalism, publishing and peaceful political advocacy. Parliament calls for the repeal of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and demands the release of those detained for exercising their fundamental rights. It also calls on the Council and the Commission to adopt targeted sanctions against those responsible for violations of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, and instructs its President to forward the resolution to the Commission, the Council, China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

   Foreign affairsJustice, rule of law & rights

   17 Sept 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 7 ballots · voted 13:11 · B-10-2026-0407 · 2026/2873

   Adopted 459–12–86 · by an overwhelming majority
2. EU-Switzerland Agreement on the transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime

   The draft Council decision would approve an agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on transferring Passenger Name Record (PNR) data to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorist offences and serious crime. Parliament gave its consent to concluding the agreement, so the agreement can go ahead. Parliament instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the member states and of the Swiss Confederation.

   Foreign affairsDigital, AI & dataJustice, rule of law & rights

   16 Sept 2026 · Consent · report by Jaroslav Bžoch · consent procedure · voted 14:18 · A-10-2026-0204 · 2025/0343

   Adopted 549–75–30 · by an overwhelming majority
3. Temporary derogation from the ePrivacy directive

   Digital, AI & dataJustice, rule of law & rights

   9 Jul 2026 · New laws · 2nd reading · 28 ballots · voted 13:21

   28 ballots, no final vote
4. Temporary derogation from certain provisions of the ePrivacy Directive to combat online child sexual abuse

   Digital, AI & dataJustice, rule of law & rights

   7 Jul 2026 · New laws · 2nd reading · voted 13:29

   Adopted 331–304–11 · narrowly
5. Countering transnational repression – towards an EU strategy to protect Europe’s sovereignty and democratic values

   Parliament adopted a resolution calling for an EU strategy to counter transnational repression, where foreign states target people in the EU to silence or harm them. The text urges coordinated EU action to protect victims, close legal gaps, and hold perpetrators accountable, including through sanctions.

   Foreign affairsJustice, rule of law & rights

   16 Jun 2026 · Resolutions · report by Hannah Neumann · 16 ballots · voted 13:46 · A-10-2026-0142 · 2025/2179

   Adopted 434–128–104 · by a large majority
6. Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia, calling for an EU response. The resolution expresses serious concerns about criminal law reforms, pressure on judiciary and media, and weaknesses in EU fund management in Slovakia. It asks the EU institutions to address these issues, including through the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation.

   Justice, rule of law & rights

   20 May 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 40 ballots · voted 13:45 · B-10-2026-0245 · 2026/2607

   Adopted 347–165–25 · by a large majority
7. Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU in 2024 and 2025, covering threats to the rule of law, civic space, hate speech, and rights of women and LGBTIQ+ people. The resolution calls for action to uphold EU values, protect democracy, address rights violations at borders, combat gender-based violence, support civil society, and fight discrimination. It also highlights risks from digital change and artificial intelligence, and stresses the need to renew democratic foundations and strengthen citizens' participation.

   Justice, rule of law & rights

   29 Apr 2026 · Resolutions · report by Anna Strolenberg · 125 ballots · voted 14:32 · A-10-2026-0042 · 2025/2135

   Adopted 328–199–98 · by a clear majority
8. The Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report

   Parliament adopted its resolution on the Commission's 2025 Rule of Law report, setting out its position on the state of rule of law in the EU. The resolution calls for strengthening the Commission's reporting, protecting journalists and civil society, and ensuring EU funds do not facilitate rights violations. It also urges EU institutions to respect rule of law obligations and to address socio-economic inequalities and racism as part of the rule of law agenda.

   EU institutions & ParliamentJustice, rule of law & rights

   29 Apr 2026 · Resolutions · report by Konstantinos Arvanitis · 32 ballots · voted 14:53 · A-10-2026-0091 · 2025/2239

   Adopted 387–191–46 · by a large majority
9. Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU, calling for legal definitions of rape to centre on the absence of consent. The resolution highlights that most rapes are committed by known persons and that victims may freeze, so lack of physical resistance does not imply consent. It urges member states to align their laws with the Istanbul Convention and to train justice professionals in trauma-informed approaches.

   Jobs, social affairs & equalityJustice, rule of law & rights

   28 Apr 2026 · Resolutions · report by Evin Incir, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus · 31 ballots · voted 14:07 · A-10-2026-0047 · 2025/2040

   Adopted 447–160–43 · by a large majority
10. Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law

    The Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law is the first international legally binding treaty on AI governance, covering the entire AI lifecycle. Parliament gave its consent to the EU concluding this Convention, meaning the EU can now ratify it. The Convention requires parties to ensure AI systems respect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, with measures like risk assessments and transparency.

    Justice, rule of law & rightsDigital, AI & data

    11 Mar 2026 · Consent · report by José Cepeda, Paulo Cunha · consent procedure · voted 12:49 · A-10-2026-0007 · 2025/0136

    Adopted 455–101–74 · by a large majority
11. Attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania

    Parliament adopted a resolution on the attempted takeover of Lithuania's public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania. The text expresses concern about amendments to the LRT Law that ease dismissal of the director general and freeze the broadcaster's budget, saying they breach EU media freedom rules. Parliament calls on Lithuanian authorities to reject the pending changes, ensure stable funding, and asks the Commission to monitor compliance and use all tools if needed.

    Digital, AI & dataJustice, rule of law & rights

    22 Jan 2026 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 44 ballots · voted 12:15 · B-10-2026-0075 · 2026/2568

    Adopted 385–165–35 · by a large majority
12. Existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded

    Parliament adopted a resolution stating that Hungary poses a clear risk of seriously breaching the EU's founding values, including democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. The text updates Parliament's earlier findings and lists twelve problem areas, such as judicial independence, corruption, media freedom, and minority rights. Parliament calls on the Council to act on its Article 7(1) procedure and urges the Commission to use all available tools to address the situation.

    Justice, rule of law & rights

    25 Nov 2025 · Resolutions · report by Tineke Strik · 43 ballots · voted 12:31 · A-10-2025-0231 · 2018/0902R

    Adopted 415–193–28 · by a large majority
13. Polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy

    Parliament adopted a resolution on the polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad railway station tragedy that killed 16 people. The text condemns violence against protesters, unlawful surveillance, and the conduct of certain security unit members, and calls on Serbian authorities to ensure transparency in projects involving foreign state-owned companies. It also rejects allegations of EU involvement in protests and stresses Serbia's need to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms as an EU candidate country. Parliament asks its President to forward the resolution to the Council, the Commission, member states' governments and parliaments, and Serbia's government and parliament.

    Foreign affairsJustice, rule of law & rights

    22 Oct 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 22 ballots · voted 15:05 · B-10-2025-0468 · 2025/2917

    Adopted 457–103–72 · by a large majority
14. The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report

    Parliament adopted a resolution on the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report, which assesses the rule of law situation in EU member states. The resolution calls for protecting media freedom, civil society, judicial independence, and fundamental rights, including sexual and reproductive rights. It also urges the Commission to act as guardian of the treaties and defend democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights across the Union.

    Justice, rule of law & rights

    18 Jun 2025 · Resolutions · report by Ana Catarina Mendes · 50 ballots · voted 13:17 · A-10-2025-0100 · 2024/2078

    Adopted 405–210–36 · by a large majority
15. Agreement between Canada and the European Union on the transfer and processing of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data

    The agreement sets rules for transferring and processing airline passenger name record data between Canada and the EU to fight serious crime and terrorism. Parliament gave its consent to the agreement, meaning the EU can conclude it. Parliament asks that the agreement be applied with strict safeguards for fundamental rights, as recommended by the European Data Protection Supervisor.

    Digital, AI & dataForeign affairsJustice, rule of law & rights

    12 Mar 2025 · Consent · committee report · consent procedure · voted 12:06 · A-10-2025-0013 · 2024/0051

    Adopted 521–90–45 · by a large majority
16. The case of Bülent Mumay in Türkiye

    Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the prison sentence of journalist Bülent Mumay in Türkiye and the harassment of independent media and journalists. It calls on Turkish authorities to end repression, release arbitrarily detained people, and ensure judicial independence and press freedom. Parliament also urges the Council to make Türkiye's rule of law and fundamental rights obligations an integral part of EU-Türkiye relations.

    Foreign affairsJustice, rule of law & rights

    10 Oct 2024 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 11 ballots · voted 13:22 · B-10-2024-0095 · 2024/2856

    Adopted no count published

Dossiers involved · latest vote first

1. 2026/2873 Deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung 17 Sept 2026 · 1 vote
2. 2025/0343 EU-Switzerland Agreement on the transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime 16 Sept 2026 · 1 vote
3. 2025/2179 Countering transnational repression – towards an EU strategy to protect Europe’s sovereignty and democratic values 16 Jun 2026 · 1 vote
4. 2026/2607 Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response 20 May 2026 · 1 vote
5. 2025/2135 Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025 29 Apr 2026 · 1 vote
6. 2025/2239 The Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report 29 Apr 2026 · 1 vote
7. 2025/2040 Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU 28 Apr 2026 · 1 vote
8. 2025/0136 Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law 11 Mar 2026 · 1 vote
9. 2026/2568 Attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania 22 Jan 2026 · 1 vote
10. 2018/0902R Existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded 25 Nov 2025 · 1 vote
11. 2025/2917 Polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy 22 Oct 2025 · 1 vote
12. 2024/2078 The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report 18 Jun 2025 · 1 vote

Who backs what

How each group's majority voted on the 14 most recent final roll calls about fundamental rights. A group is "split" when no position won among its members.

The latest final votes, group by group