2024 Rule of Law Report. The rule of law situation in the European Union

Summary:

Report published by the European Commission on 24 July 2024, assessing the situation in the European Union (EU) as a whole and in each Member State as regards the rule of law.

Further information:

The annual Rule of Law Report is at the centre of the Commission's Rule of Law Mechanism. This is yearly cycle aimed at promoting the rule of law and preventing problems from emerging or deepening further. It aims to improve understanding and awareness of issues, identify challenges and support countries in finding solutions. It also allows Member States to exchange best practice, discuss among themselves and learn from each other. The objective of the Mechanism is preventive and it is separate from other elements in the EU's Rule of Law Toolbox. It complements but it does not replace the Treaty-based mechanisms for the EU response to serious rule of law issues in Member States.

The report covers four pillars: national justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism and other institutional checks-and balances. The report also includes specific recommendations to Member States. The Commission's objective is to assist and support Member States in their efforts to take forward reforms and to identify where improvements or follow-up to recent changes or reforms may be needed, based on continuous dialogue.

This annual report was published by the European Commission on 24 July 2024. It is the fifth annual Rule of Law Report issued by the Commission. The report is accompanied by individual chapters covering the reality in each EU Member State.

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Commentary and Analysis

Verfassungsblog, 24/07/2024: Aristotle in the Commission. Seven Steps to Enhance the Commission’s Annual Rule of Law Report https://verfassungsblog.de/aristotle-in-the-commission/

Human Rights Watch (HRW): News, 29/07/2024: EU Rule of Law Report Downplays Threats to Civil Society https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/29/eu-rule-law-report-downplays-threats-civil-society

International Press Institute (IPI): Newsroom, 30/07/2024: 2024 rule of law report: media freedom organizations urge the EU to enforce stronger safeguards https://ipi.media/rule-of-law-report-media-freedom-eu/

UK in a Changing Europe: Analysis, 05/08/2024: The EU’s rule of law crisis: has progress been made? https://ukandeu.ac.uk/the-eus-rule-of-law-crisis-has-progress-been-made/

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News

Kathimerini, 24/07/2024: EU report to show upgrades in rule of law https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1244635/eu-report-to-show-upgrades-in-rule-of-law/

Politico, 24/07/2024: Commission: Our hands are tied on press freedom, but not for long https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-our-hands-are-tied-on-press-freedom-but-not-for-long/

EurActiv, 25/07/2024: Hungary, Slovakia, and Italy fail to impress in EU Rule of Law report https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/hungary-slovakia-and-italy-fail-to-impress-in-eu-rule-of-law-report/

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Official

European Commission: DG Communication: Justice and Fundamental Rights: Annual Rule of Law Cycle https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rule-law/rule-law/annual-rule-law-cycle_en

European Commission: Press Release, 24/07/2024: Rule of Law Report 2024: with the 5th edition, the EU is better equipped to face rule of law challenges https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_3864

European Commission: Questions and Answers on the 2024 Rule of Law Report (24 July 2024) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_24_3865

Slovenian Government: News, 24/07/2024: Response to the European Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report https://www.gov.si/en/news/2024-07-24-response-to-the-european-commissions-2024-rule-of-law-report/

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