It is a turbulent time for the rule of law in Europe. The rule of law in Hungary and Poland has been under pressure for some time due to ‘constitutional capture,’ but there are also worrying signals from other Member States. For example, the appointment process of judges in Spain is becoming increasingly politicized, and there are concerns about the safety of journalists in Greece and Malta (see annual rule of law reports from the European Commission and NGOs). The Dutch democratic rule of law is also not inviolable. In recent years, citizens lacked legal protection against government measures. Besides, various new political plans conflict with existing legal standards (see the Meijers Committee’s recent comment on the ‘Hoofdlijnenakkoord’). To prevent further erosion of the rule of law in the EU, it is necessary to mobilize future decision-makers for its defense and protection.  Therefore, the Meijers Committee is launching the Young Meijers Committee, which is set to commence in 2025.

• Each year, the Meijers Committee selects 12 motivated students and/or young professionals committed to advancing the rule of law within the EU. The YMC members collaborate on a shared final product, focused on developing practical solutions for pressing rule of law challenges in the EU.
• The Meijers Committee empowers the Young Meijers Committee through expert-led workshops that feed into their collective final product. The workshops will enable the YMC members to expand their understanding of rule of law challenges across the EU, while equipping them with a toolbox to address these challenges. Doing so, the workshops seek to debunk common rule of law myths in furtherance of efforts to protect the rule of law.
• Furthermore, YMC members will become an integral part of the Meijers Committee by actively participating in and contributing to the subcommittee meetings and plenary sessions, acquiring practical skills and experience in defending democratic values, while expanding their professional network. Hence, the YMC members will be assigned to members of the Meijers Committee who will provide guidance throughout the Young Meijers Committee program.