Documents: Fundamental rights - Human rights

EPI’s work is focused on the needs and constraints of North Macedonia, a country that awaited the start of the accession negotiations for more than a decade while experiencing a decline in support for European Union membership and political instability in recent years. Within its rule of law programme, it closely monitors the level of compliance with the rule of law principle in member states of the EU

This brief summarises the key developments about the rule of law in view of EU accession in North Macedonia from April to June 2023. It includes monitoring the fundamentals of EU accession, including key developments in the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform and chapter 23: judiciary and fundamental rights.

This brief summarises the key developments about the rule of law in view of EU accession in North Macedonia from January to March 2023. It includes monitoring the fundamentals of EU accession, including key developments in the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform and chapter 23: judiciary and fundamental rights.

This brief summarises the key developments in relation to rule of law in view of EU accession in North Macedonia for the period October – December 2022. It includes monitoring the fundamentals of EU accession, including key developments in the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, and Chapter 23: judiciary and fundamental rights.

The rule of law principle is one of the core values comprising the foundations of the European Union. It entails that all public powers act within the boundaries set by the law, in accordance with the values of democracy and respect for fundamental rights. While candidate countries must comply with this principle and adapt the functioning of their institutions accordingly, member states of the EU are also not exempt from this obligation, or the consequences arising from non-compliance.

Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights entail the right to freedom of expression, including the respect of freedom and pluralism of the media.

On March 30, 2007 the European Community signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which entered into force for the EU on January 22, 2011. UNCRPD recognises that disability is an evolving concept: “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”

Gender equality is deemed a fundamental EU value. It is regulated in Articles 2 and 3 TEU, Article 8 TFEU and Articles 21 and 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Directive 2000/43/EC – the Race Equality Directive addresses direct and indirect discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, including harassment and sexual harassment. Its scope covers: (a) conditions for access to employment, to self-employment and to occupation, including selection criteria and recruitment conditions, whatever the branch of activity and at all levels of the professional hierarchy, including promotion; (b) access to all types and to all levels of vocational guidance, vocational training, advanced vocational training and retraining, including practical work experience; (c) employment and working conditions, including dismissals and pay; (d) membership of and involvement in an organisation of workers or employers, or any organisation whose members carry on a particular profession, including the benefits provided for by such organisations; (e) social protection, including social security and healthcare; (f) social advantages; (g) education; (h) access to an