How is EU law enforced? (video)

The EU is based on a common set of rules and values. Watch our video to find out what happens when these rules are broken.

Access to video: What happens when EU law is broken?

(Video duration:00:57)

EU law has at its core the common values upon which the EU was built: respect for human rights and dignity, democracy, freedom, equality and the rule of law.

If a member state does not play by the rules, the EU can respond in several ways. A country can be fined when it fails to apply EU law properly. When it breaches human rights or the rule of law, its right to vote or EU funding may be suspended.

If you think your EU rights have been violated you can:

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  turn to the European Ombudsman
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  petition the European Parliament

Find out more

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  Information and advice concerning your EU rights

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  Protecting fundamental rights in the EU

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  New rules for the European Ombudsman

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  New mechanism to protect the rule of law

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  Quiz: how much do you know about human rights in the EU?

Product information

Ref.: 20210628STO07268

• 1. 

  The European Parliament is the EU's law-making body. It is directly elected by EU voters every 5 years.
  What does the Parliament do?
  The Parliament has 3 main roles:
  Legislative