Discussion with the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group – Visit to Portugal

Dear Representative of Plataforma Mulheres,

I am writing on behalf of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), a consultative body of the EU with an assembly of 329 members representing employers, workers, and various other civil society organisations (CSOs). The EESC has an institutionalised say on draft EU legislation and helps strengthen the European Union’s effectiveness and democratic legitimacy by enabling civil society organisations to have direct influence.

The EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group (FRRL Group – see ‘background’ below for more information) is organising a visit to Lisbon on Thursday 6^th and Friday 7^th October.

During these two days, six EESC Members will hold meetings with civil society organisations (including social partners) and other stakeholders, to discuss the fundamental rights and the rule of law in Portugal. The delegation will also meet with representatives of the authorities. All discussions will take place under Chatham House rule (no name or organisation will be named in the six-page report that will result from the visit).

Discussions will be framed under the five following themes:

• Fundamental rights related to social partners
• Freedom of association and freedom of assembly
• Freedom of expression and freedom of the media
• The right to non-discrimination
• The rule of law

The FRRL Group delegation would like to meet a representative of your organisation in the meeting on the right to non-discrimination, which will take place on Friday 7th October, from 9h00 to 10h30