Event
Promoting Rule of Law and Press Freedom in the EU:
Challenges and Opportunities.
Concept Note & Agenda
Organizer: International Center for the Protection of Human Rights and Democracy (ICPHRD)
Date & Time: 12 September 2024, 9:00 – 18:00
Location: Stanhope Hotel, Brussels
1. Background:
The European Union (EU), as a bastion of democratic values, rule of law, and freedom of the press, faces ongoing challenges in ensuring these principles are upheld uniformly across its member states and candidate countries. This conference aims to address the broader context of these challenges within the EU. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the International Center for the Protection of Human Rights and Democracy seeks to reinforce the EU's commitment to uncompromisingly uphold its values in accepting new members.
2. Objectives:
• Engage in a discussion focused on the theme "Rule of Law and Freedom of the Press as Pillars of EU Democracies."
• Assess the status of governance, rule of law, and press freedom within the EU and its candidate countries.
• Facilitate dialogue among experts from the EU
• Share successful strategies from various EU member states and candidate countries in addressing similar challenges.
• Develop actionable recommendations and strategies for member states and candidate countries to enhance governance, rule of law, and democratic practices, ensuring alignment with EU values.
3. Target Audience:
• Policy makers and officials from the EU member states and candidate countries.
• Academics and researchers specializing in governance, law, and democracy.
• Representatives from international organizations and NGOs.
• Legal practitioners, judges, and members of the judiciary.
• Media professionals and journalists.
• Civil society activists and advocates.
4. Tentative Program:
9:00 – 10:00: Registration and Welcome Coffee
10:00 – 11:00: Welcome Remarks:
Stanislav Pavlovschi, Founder of ICPHRD
11:00 – 11:15: Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:45: Panel Discussion: Rule of Law in the EU: Ensuring Copenhagen Criteria in the EU Enlargement Process
In November 2023, the European Commission presented an enlargement package consisting of ten thought-out reports outlining the state of affairs of the EU membership candidates. The EU must ensure that the Copenhagen Criteria for the EU accession is met in every instance of the accession process. While Ukraine and Moldova have advanced in implementing set out reforms, the fundamental steps are yet to be taken to ensure rule of law and democracy. Georgia faced a significant setback with adoption of the foreign agent law earlier this year. Corruption, human rights violations, and political influence over media pose serious challenges to democracy across Western Balkans. How can we ensure that all EU candidates remain committed to implementing Copenhagen Criteria while paving their way to European Union membership?
12:45 – 14:00: Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:30: Panel Discussion: Safeguarding Press Freedom as a Pillar of EU Democracy. The Role of the European Media Freedom Act
In May 2024, European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) entered into force across the EU jurisdiction, however challenges to media freedom are rising serious concerns across the EU as well as with its closest neighbors. Journalists in Bulgaria report serious influence of political elites and media oligarchs over media coverage. In Moldova, the government is continuously closing media outlets with over 20 TV channels license suspended since 2022. The Slovak media is experiencing severe political pressure after the national broadcaster RTVS has been replaced with government-controlled TV and radio broadcaster STVR. Following the 2023 Parliamentary elections, Polish independent media has been disseminated. The Georgian foreign agent law adopted earlier this year enables the authorities to silence any dissenting voices. How can EMFA protect media freedom across Europe?
15:30 – 15:45: Coffee Break
15:45 – 17:15: Panel Discussion: Democracy And Human Rights in the EU Enlargement Process
2024 has been the biggest election year in human history, determining the future of global democracy and global peace. Europe and Middle East are still at war and many EU countries are more than half of European continent are still in the state of flawed democracy according to the 2023 Democracy Index. The political turmoils first of all take a toll on human lives, threatening our human rights and civil liberties. Does democracy automatically mean peace? Can people effectively exercise their human rights in a democratic regime? Can European Union ensure as it is in the lengthy process of enlarging its sovereign territory the protection of democracy and human rights?
17:15 – 19:00: Networking Reception
5. Expected Outcomes:
• Raising public awareness about the importance of rule of law and press freedom in democratic societies.
• Increased understanding of the challenges and best practices within the EU and candidate countries.
• Better understanding by journalists of their rights and duties, and the role of independent media in a democratic society.
• Development of concrete recommendations and strategies for reform in candidate countries.
• Strengthened partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders in the EU and candidate countries.HumanRightsCenter.eu
