Fundamental rights at risk in the EU: European Parliament sounds the alarm
The European Parliament is sounding the alarm on the state of fundamental rights within the Union. With 328 votes in favor, 199 against, and 98 abstentions, the Assembly adopted a resolution that depicts a worrying situation across the 27 Member States, denouncing widespread violations and a progressive democratic backsliding.
The values enshrined in Article 2 of the EU Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, MEPs state, must be respected in every European policy and fully applied by Member States. An objective that, according to the approved text, is still far from being achieved.
Borders, migration, and digital surveillance
The report expresses strong concern over the uneven application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights by Member States, with divergent national interpretations that hollow out its practical effectiveness. MEPs condemn the mistreatment of migrants and violence at the Union’s external borders, calling for coordinated search and rescue operations and rapid disembarkation procedures. The absolute ban on torture and inhuman or degrading treatment is reaffirmed, including in the context of implementing the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.
On the digital front, Parliament denounces the risks posed by disinformation, foreign interference, and electoral manipulation, and calls for full application of the Digital Services Act, the AI Act, and rules on political advertising, as well as more robust protections against the use of spyware and unjustified surveillance.
Women, LGBTIQ+, and civil society under fire
MEPs are calling for more decisive measures against gender-based violence, hate crimes, and discrimination, even going as far as invoking the recognition of femicide as a distinct criminal offense. Parliament condemns conversion practices and denounces the rollback of rights for women and LGBTIQ+ individuals in several EU countries, reiterating the need to protect sexual and reproductive health rights.
The stance on civil society is particularly harsh: non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders, the resolution reads, are facing legal and financial restrictions, smear campaigns, intimidation, and even the criminalization of their activities. Parliament is calling for stable European funding for these entities, a rapid response mechanism for organizations at risk, and enhanced monitoring of civic space.
Rule of law and social rights
The report echoes concerns already raised during rule-of-law monitoring: political interference in the judiciary, restrictions on press freedom, threats to journalists, corruption, and inadequate protection for whistleblowers. Added to these are concerns regarding social rights: poverty, housing exclusion, insufficient prison conditions, the misuse of European funds, and the, often neglected, right to a healthy environment.
93% of recommendations ignored
In parallel, Parliament also adopted a resolution on the 2025 Rule of Law Report, approved with 387 votes in favor, 191 against, and 46 abstentions. The most alarming figure: 93% of the recommendations formulated by the European Commission in previous years have been ignored, with Member States failing to follow up on them. Judicial independence, press freedom, the fight against corruption, and civic space remain critical areas across much of the Union.