In its assessment of the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law report endorsed by the Committee on Civil Liberties in January, Parliament takes note of some concrete positive developments, including the new Polish government’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law and media freedom, whilst highlighting persistent threats to democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights as well as specific problems or incidents in several EU member states.
The text was adopted with 374 votes for, 113 against and 45 abstentions, following a debate in plenary, on Wednesday afternoon.
Problems with justice, corruption, and media freedom
Parliament notes the differences across member states in terms of judicial independence, especially regarding the appointment of high-level judges, including in Hungary. MEPs are concerned about proposed changes in Slovakia’s institutions and media landscape, as well about the proposed amnesty law in Spain. Corruption remains a significant concern for Parliament, which again condemns the reported systemic discriminatory, non-transparent and unfair practices against companies in certain sectors in Hungary and the use of EU funds to enrich political allies of the country’s government, while obstacles for whistleblowers persist.
MEPs want an end to citizenship by investment schemes such as the one in Malta and draw attention to money laundering – a cross-border issue that is intrinsically linked to corruption. The independence of oversight authorities is also under threat, they say, such as in the case of Greece’s handling of the spyware scandal, while work still needs to be done to protect journalists from SLAPPs and other threats.
Shrinking civil society and threats to vulnerable groups
Civil society faces challenges in many countries, including in Slovakia where plans have been announced to restrict the work of NGOs and stigmatise organisations receiving foreign funding. MEPs deplore the use of excessive force and discriminatory treatment by police and the disproportionate use of force against demonstrators, specifically referencing mass detentions in France and the killings of three young Roma in Greece. Parliament says rights backsliding and the undermining of minority rights impact religious minorities, LGBTIQ people, women, and refugees and migrants.
Once again, MEPs stress the Commission’s monitoring is not enough and should evolve to include concrete enforcement action, condemning the sometimes “open and unashamed non-compliance” of several member states with EU law.
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Rapporteur Sophie in ‘t Veld (Renew, NL) commented during the press conference that preceded the vote: “The Commission’s Rule of Law Report should treat each member state equally and objectively. Political pressure from governments must not be allowed to influence it, because Europeans have a right to know how the rule of law is faring in their country – wherever they may live.”
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