Rule of Law
Within the European Parliament, LIBE committee is responsible for “the protection within the territory of the Union of citizens' rights, human rights and fundamental rights, including the protection of minorities, as laid down in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union” and for “the determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by a Member State of the principles common to the Member States”.
LIBE is at the heart of EP activities and initiatives in the field of fundamental rights and rule of law - see below for more details on the latter, in particular regarding Member States under Article 7(1) TEU procedures, as well as on the specific subject file dedicated to the LIBE Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group
General framework
- EP resolution of 25 October 2016 with recommendations to the Commission on the establishment of an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights
- EP Resolution of 14 November 2018 on the need for a comprehensive EU mechanism for the protection of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights
Resolutions linked to the situation in a Member State
- European Parliament resolution of 10 June 2015 on the situation in Hungary
- EP resolution of 16 December 2015 on the situation in Hungary
- European Parliament resolution of 13 April 2016 on the situation in Poland
- European Parliament resolution of 14 September 2016 on the Recent developments in Poland and their impact on fundamental rights as laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
- European Parliament resolution of 17 May 2017 on the situation in Hungary
- European Parliament resolution of 15 November 2017 on the situation of the rule of law and democracy in Poland
- European Parliament resolution of 1 March 2018 on the Commission’s decision to activate Article 7(1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland
- European Parliament resolution of 12 September 2018 on a proposal calling on the Council to determine, pursuant to Article 7(1) of the Treaty on EU, the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded
- European Parlaiment resolution of 13 November 2018 on the rule of law in Romania
LIBE Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG)
LIBE Hearings
- Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on 22 June 2017 on "the Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights"
- Public hearing on 7 December 2017 on the "The situation in Hungary"
- LIBE hearing on 20 November 2018 on "the situation of the Rule of Law in Poland, in particular as regards the independence of the judiciary"
Debates in LIBE Committee
- Presentation of the progress in examination of the EP reasoned proposal under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary by the 1st Vice President Frans Timmermans, European Commission and the Council Presidency
- Rule of law in Hungary - debate in the LIBE meeting of 16 December 2019
- Covid-19: fundamental rights must be upheld, warn MEPs
- Rule of law: MEPs demand protection of EU budget and values