Civil liberties network says in states where far-right parties influence power, rule-of-law deterioration risks becoming systemic

Civil liberties network says in states where far-right parties influence power, rule-of-law deterioration risks becoming systemic

The rule of law is declining across the EU as governments continue to weaken legal and democratic checks and balances, a leading civil liberties network has said, highlighting in particular a sharp rise in restrictions on the right to protest.

Berlin-based Liberties said in its annual report, compiled with 37 rights groups in 19 countries, that in older democracies with mainstream parties in government, such as France, Germany and Belgium, challenges to the rule of law remained sporadic.

However, in similarly long-established – so resilient – democracies where far-right parties are in power, or influencing power, such as Italy and Sweden, Liberties said deterioration of the rule of law, while gradual, risked becoming systemic.

In more recently re-established EU democracies, such as Slovakia, Slovenia and Poland, it said the rule of law “can swing rapidly - either towards recovery or decline”.

Balázs Dénes, the executive director of the Civil Liberties Union for Europe, as Liberties is formally known, said its 600-page report – used by the European Commission in its rule-of-law monitoring – showed the EU needed to act faster against clear rule-of-law backsliding.

  • 🔰Hurling⚜️Durling🔱@lemmy.world
    162·
    8 months ago

    The problem is that the ruling class thinks that they can shove anything down the throats of their people and the people will just be happy eating cake. The far-right should be labeled undemocratic and prevented by any means from occupying any political position anywhere or have any kind of influence as it’s taking the world down a dangerous path just so they can satisfy their fetish of power.

    • Eldritch@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      8 months ago

      I don’t disagree. But I would like to make a distinction. Authoritarian populists should never be given any credence. Left or right. When it comes to capitalism, liberals are about as far right as you can get in general. But they can be reasoned with pretty frequently. And are not constantly maliciously trying to hurt people. Their policies tend to hurt a lot of people because of biases built into the systems. But it’s not something they try hard to do.

      Conversely, fascists and leninists are a threat to everyone including themselves. And as you said, should be given no quarter. But are given far too much attention and tolerance.

      • iain@feddit.nl
        41·
        8 months ago

        Ah yes, all those Leninist politicians that are showing up all over Europe and winning elections…

        Liberals hurt plenty of people. They enact austerity that have hurt many poor people. They care more about money than human well-being. They often vote for sanctions that do nothing but hurt regular people. And historically have always sided with fascists when it comes down to it.

        • Eldritch@lemmy.worldEnglish
          6·
          8 months ago

          Currently it’s fascists. But leninists absolutely marched across Europe and Asia in the mid 20th century. Slaughtering and forcefully annexing countries against their will. Imprisoning and murdering people simply for disagreeing with “the party”. It’s literally the one genuine accurate criticism capitalists have had of leninists. Even if it is somewhat hypocritical.

          I’m not going to disagree with your characterization of liberals. Except to point out that that doesn’t represent all or most of them. It definitely does represent some. But also ironically represents a large portion of those in power in Leninist political structures. Because it’s not the non-authoritarian liberals that are the problem. Just like it’s not the non-authoritarian non-leninist Marxist like myself, who aren the problem. It’s those who support or make excuses for authoritarians that are a threat to everyone. Along with the authoritarians of course. Regardless of whether they are technically left or right.

          Criticizing liberals and fascists while supporting Lenin, Engles, and those that follow their diseased ideology. Is hypocritical.

    • spyd3r@sh.itjust.works
      6·
      8 months ago

      This is 100% it, politicians across the board are tuning out the needs and wants of the common people, and are instead selling out to the corporations, billionaires, and other policy-creation-behind-closed-doors organizations (like the WEF, ALEC, etc). The only place people have left to turn to be heard is the extremes of the left or the right, so it’s no surprise we’re going down this path.