Commemorating the Proclamation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
25th Anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights
📅 Date:Monday, 9 December 2025
📍 Location:European Parliament, Brussels
Room JAN 4Q2 + Live streaming
The 25th anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights offers a crucial moment to reaffirm its enduring role as the cornerstone of fundamental rights protection in Europe. Hosted by the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats, this event will serve as a vital political reflection on the importance of the Charter's implementation and enforcement across the EU, especially at a time when the rights, freedoms, and principles enshrined in the Charter face increasing challenges.
It will feature representatives from EU bodies, civil society, and national parliaments, coming together to assess and reflect rigorously on the Charter's impact within the EU legal framework, notably considering that the Parliament is currently negotiating the Report on the EU Charter implementation for which Alessandro Zan is the rapporteur and that Ana Catarina Mendes was rapporteur for the Report on the Commission's 2024 Rule of Law Report.
Discussions will focus on safeguarding fundamental rights amid evolving social, political, and technological challenges, emphasising the need for unwavering commitment to justice, equality, human rights and the rule of law in Europe.
16:00
Keynote Speech - Introductory Remarks
Iratxe García Pérez, President of the S&D Group
Roberta Metsola, European Parliament President
16:15
Opening and Welcome
Alessandro Zan, LIBE Vice-Chair
Ana Catarina Mendes, S&D Vice-President
16:40
Panel 1: The Charter 25 Years Later
Pervenche Berès
Sirpa Rautio, FRA Director
Kersty McCourt, Senior Advocacy Advisor at the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties)
17:15
Panel 2: For a True Union of Fundamental Rights
Elly Schlein, Secretary of the Partito Democratico
José Luís Carneiro, Secretary General of the Partido Socialista
Danish Presidency (TBC)
17:50
Closing Remarks
Commissioner Michael McGrath
Keynote Speaker
Roberta METSOLA
Malta 
MEP President of the European Parliament
Member of European Parliament
European Commissioner
Michael McGRATH
Ireland European Commission European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law
Closing Remarks
Pervenche BERÈS
Former MEP
France
Sirpa RAUTIO
Director
EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
Kersty McCOURT
Senior Advocacy Advisor
Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties)
Elly SCHLEIN
Secretary
Partito Democratico, Italy
José Luís CARNEIRO
Secretary General
Partido Socialista, Portugal
Important – This event is by invitation, and only registered participants will be admitted. Due to capacity constraints, all attendees must register, including those already holding a European Parliament access badge.
