PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION – CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES
PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION – CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES

Summary/Abstract: The protection of fundamental rights is one of the defining principles of the legal order of the European Union, constituting an essential element for guaranteeing the rule of law, democracy and respect for human dignity. The evolution of the European construction has led to the development of a complex system of legal norms and mechanisms designed to ensure a high level of protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, a system consolidated by the enshrinement of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and by the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. At the same time, social, economic and technological transformations in recent decades have generated new challenges regarding the effective guarantee of these rights, requiring the continuous adaptation of the European regulatory framework. This study analyses the evolution of the protection of fundamental rights within the European Union, highlighting the main legal mechanisms established to guarantee their respect and the role of the European institutions in consolidating a common area based on the values of the rule of law. The analysis follows how fundamental rights have become an indispensable benchmark in the interpretation and application of European Union law, as well as the impact of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the development of European standards of protection. At the same time, the research examines the contemporary challenges generated by digitalization, the use of artificial intelligence, the protection of personal data, cybersecurity and geopolitical developments, highlighting the need to maintain a balance between promoting innovation and respecting fundamental rights and freedoms. In this context, the development directions of the European legal framework and the importance of cooperation between the institutions of the European Union and the Member States in order to strengthen an effective system of fundamental rights protection are analyzed. The study demonstrates that the protection of fundamental rights is a dynamic process, constantly evolving, adapted to the changes in contemporary society and new legal challenges. The strengthening of this system depends on the uniform application of European rules, the development of coherent case law and the maintenance of a balance between the exercise of the competences of the European Union and the respect for the values that underpin the European project.

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