Civil Society Europe working group on civic space and fundamental rights met with Dr. Sylwia Spurek, member of the European Parliament Civil Liberties Committee, last 4 November. The delegation which included representatives of the Human rights and Democracy Network, Greenpeace EU, Solidar, the European Civic Forum and the Environmental Partnership Association, discussed how civil society organisations can contribute to the work of the European Parliament on the rule of law and fundamental rights as well as to the blueprint for action proposed by the European Commission.

During the meeting, Civil Society Europe stressed that civil society organisations must be considered as key partners and closely involved in the rule of law review cycle, in addition be supported in raising awareness and promoting a rule of law culture.

We also called on the European Parliament to address shrinking civic space in Europe and highlighted evidence of tgis trend in several EU coiuntries. Moreover we made a brief presentation of the monitoring tools developed by civil society organisations, as well as presented our action plan on enabling civic space. The discussion was also devoted to the current budgetary decision making process on the Rights and Values programme as a means to support the advocacy and watchdog role of civil society organisations on EU values, including at national level.

Finally we exchanged on ways to ensure that the implementation of fundamental rights would be better monitored in the implementation of EU funds managed at national and regional level.