The undersigned civil society, human rights, journalist and media support organisations call on the European Commission to strengthen the rule of law dialogue, improve the impact of the Rule of Law Report’s recommendations and take decisive action against systematic human rights violations in EU Member States.

In 2025, the European Commission will publish its sixth annual Rule of Law Report – the first after the new Commission took office. The European Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen – in her political guidelines and in the mission letter to the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath – reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, as a priority for the new College. Furthermore, one of the new additions was the explicit link of the rule of law recommendations to the access of EU funds as well as the extension of the Rule of Law Report to also cover the Single Market dimension.

The profound political shifts witnessed in 2024, a year marked by electoral upheavals and changing political landscapes across Europe and the world, are testing the resilience of democratic institutions, highlighting the need for continued and coordinated action in protecting the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in the EU. Upholding the rule of law is a top priority, and strengthening the Rule of Law Report is essential to this effort. Making it more effective requires closer collaboration with all key actors committed to the rule of law in the EU, including civil society organisations (CSOs), journalists, and academics. 

While there have been notable improvements in the reporting process, particularly with more engagement on stakeholder consultations and extended reporting in some areas, concerns remain regarding the quality and effectiveness of the recommendations in its national chapters as well as their concrete follow-up. 

The upcoming report will be a key test of the new Commission’s ability to address these challenges and ensure that its recommendations translate into tangible action to uphold the rule of law standards across the EU Member States and the EU institutions. The following recommendations aim to strengthen the connection between the Rule of Law Report and other relevant mechanisms and to address, among others, issues related to the implementation of court rulings, the protection of civic space and media freedom.

Our main recommendations to the Commission are:

1. Rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights must be key priorities in the new Commission’s policies.
2. Improve the link between the Rule of Law Report and an enhanced rule of law toolbox.
3. Strengthen the link between the rule of law and the EU budget.
4. Continue the Rule of Law Report and improve its qualitative assessment analysis.
5. Take firm and systematic action against the non-implementation of court rulings.
6. Address continuing concerns regarding civic space and human rights.
7. Protect freedom of expression, freedom of information and media freedom. 
8. Improve the visibility and awareness of the Rule of Law Report.
9. Ensure the EU’s own actions do not undermine the rule of law.

Signatories:

1. ACAT Belgium
2. Amnesty International
3. Association of European Journalists in Belgium
4. ARTICLE19
5. Civil Liberties Union for Europe
6. Committee to Protect Journalists
7. Demo Finland – Political Parties of Finland for Democracy
8. Democracy Reporting International
9. European Civic Forum
10. European Federation of Journalists
11. European Exchange / Europäischer Austausch
12. European Network Against Racism (ENAR)
13. European Partnership for Democracy
14. FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights)
15. Free Press Unlimited
16. Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)
17. Human Rights League (Belgium)
18. Hungarian Helsinki Committee
19. IFEX
20. ILGA-Europe
21. International Press Institute (IPI)
22. Institute for Regional Media and Information (IRMI)
23. Irish Council for Civil Liberties
24. Kofi Annan Foundation
25. League for the Defence of Human Rights Romania
26. Ligue française des droits de l’Homme (LDH)
27. Media Diversity Institute (MDI) 
28. Netherlands Helsinki Committee
29. Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
30. Protection International 
31. Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
32. RNW Media
33. Transparency International EU