European Commission launches annual Rule of Law Report.

Byline: SHAFQAT ALI

Brussel -- The European Commission on Wednesday launched its fourth annual Rule of Law Report, taking the pulse of the rule of law situation in each member state.

While Rule of Law concerns remain in some EU member states, the report has become a key driver for change and positive reforms. In fact, 65% of last year's recommendations have been, fully or partially, addressed.

This shows that important efforts are ongoing in member states to follow up on the previous year's recommendations.

Given that reforms to improve the rule of law framework take time, this reflects a significant development over only one year. At the same time, systemic concerns remain in some member states.

The package includes a communication examining the situation in the EU as a whole and 27 country chapters looking at significant developments in every member state since July 2022.

The report includes an assessment of last year's recommendations and provides again specific recommendations to member states.

The report covers four pillars: national justice systems, anti: corruption frameworks, media pluralism and other institutional checks: and balances.

Justice reforms have remained high on the political agenda over the last year, with many member states following up on the 2022 recommendations and implementing reforms agreed in the context of the RRF.

Many member states have further advanced with or finalised important reforms to strengthen judicial independence, such as legislative efforts to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of Councils of the Judiciary, improving judicial appointment procedures and the functioning of their highest courts or are preparing steps to strengthen the autonomy of prosecution services.

Member states also introduced measures aimed at improving efficiency and quality of justice, as well as facilitating access to justice. Member states further invested in their justice systems, although in some member states, remuneration of judges and prosecutors present a concern and led to challenges to recruit qualified judicial personnel. At the same time, structural concerns persist in a few member states as regards judicial independence.

Regarding the recommendations for 2023 on justice, they address such challenges as the need for safeguards in judicial appointment procedures, the composition of Councils of the Judiciary, the autonomy of the prosecution service or the need to provide adequate resources for the...