Knowing that the rules apply equally and predictably lets people live with confidence – from signing a job contract to renting a home or speaking freely in public.

When the rule of law is strong, rights are respected. People are protected from abuse of power, treated fairly and given equal access to justice and public services.

This is why, as the rule of law comes under increasing pressure, it’s so important to protect it. Doing so means protecting people’s ability to live their lives, defend their rights, and be part of a system that works for everyone.

The rule of law means that the law rules and not any other interest or preference. It guarantees justice and accountability as well as the human rights and freedoms of every individual.

This is why we developed a Rule of Law Explainer, together with the Council of Europe, European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the European Institute for Gender Equality, Equinet, and the EEA and Norway Grants.

You can find the explainer here and the vertical display here.

You can also stay up to date with our work on the Rule of Law in Brussels on our website.