It is time to send a clear signal that the European Parliament defends citizens’ rights – this is the message from the Socialists and Democrats today ahead of the plenary vote on the 2024 Rule of Law report.
At a time when fundamental rights are being challenged across Europe, political groups extending from the EPP to the far right are preparing to use the vote to strip key elements from the text. The report is Parliament’s answer to the European Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report.
Effective S&D negotiation at committee level ensured strong positions in the report on key Rule of Law issues, including access to legal and safe abortion, LGBTIQ+ rights, protecting the role of civil society, combating disinformation, and many other topics. These positions are now under threat.
Ana Catarina Mendes, Rapporteur and S&D vice president, said:
“When journalists are targeted by spyware in Italy, when reproductive freedom is threatened by a new nationalist president in Poland, when LGBTIQ+ rights are under attack in Hungary, Parliament needs to send a clear message.
“I am proud that the text adopted in the committee includes strong wording on fundamental rights. This is needed now more than ever. We must protect women’s access to safe and legal abortions. We must stand up for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community. We must ensure journalists are free to do their jobs, and civil society is empowered to speak up for people. Today, Parliament must send the message that the Rule of Law must be protected for everyone.”
Deletions to the report tabled by the EPP risk erasing references to same sex marriage and legal gender recognition for trans and intersex persons from the text. The far right has also tabled amendments aimed at restricting space for civil society. The ECR Group has tabled its own report which, if passed, would represent a serious backlash against the Parliament’s previous strong stance on the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
The S&D Group is proud to stand for media freedom and pluralism, for sexual and reproductive rights, and for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, including most recently in support of people in Hungary.
Last month, MEPs in the European Parliament committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs (LIBE) endorsed – with a large majority –the 2024 Annual Rule of Law Report. It included strong references to LGBTIQ+ rights, and sexual and reproductive rights. The report also highlights important topics such as shrinking space for civil society, independence of the judiciary, independent and free media, as well as the growing challenges posed by algorithm-driven content on social media and its impact on disinformation and democratic discourse.
