Analysis: Human Rights at the Heart of Europe in 2026. What Did Ursula von der Leyen Say in Her State of the Union Address?

In 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State of the Union address made human rights the central theme running through all European policy. In the speech, human rights are not presented as a separate or isolated issue—they are integrated into discussions of social policy, gender equality, child protection, democracy, the rule of law, migration, and technology. The address's key message was stated with utmost clarity: “Times and technologies change, but our values remain. In Europe, people will always come first.”.

Social rights: housing, care, and the right to remain in one's home region

Europe has chosen a path that preserves not only its economic and political autonomy, but also its unique social model. As part of the reform of its industrial policy, the EU aims to protect the social system that is directly linked to the well-being of its citizens.

• Updating the social pillar: The President of the European Commission emphasized the need to adapt the European Pillar of Social Rights to changes in society.
• New initiatives: Plans were announced to invest in the regions, establish a European Care Deal, and adopt the first-ever Housing Act (Housing Act) to tackle the problems of short-term rentals and property speculation.
• Rights Rather Than Privileges: Von der Leyen stated: “The ability to remain in one's own region is not a privilege. Care is not a privilege. Housing is not a privilege. People have a right to these things. We must ensure that Europeans can exercise these rights.”.

Thus, the concept of human rights is being expanded: affordable housing, care, and the ability to live in one's home region are officially being shifted from the realm of economic policy to that of fundamental human rights that guarantee a dignified life while taking demographic and regional factors into account.

Artificial Intelligence and the Labor Market: Protection Against New Inequalities

The address devotes particular attention to the risks associated with the adoption of artificial intelligence in the labor market.

• Risk of a Widening Gap: Brussels notes that the benefits of AI may be distributed unevenly depending on workers' skills, age, and region of residence.
• A Human-Centered Approach: In the context of human rights, technological progress is assessed not only in terms of its economic efficiency, but also by its impact on the lives of individuals.
• New guarantees: AI should help people develop skills, create quality jobs, and ensure fair opportunities for everyone—from education to employment. The EU proclaims every worker's right to adapt to the changing labor market.

Women's rights: protecting hard-won equality

Women's rights took center stage in the European Commission's address.

• A direct threat: Ursula von der Leyen explicitly warned that fundamental European values are under threat, noting: “Some people want women to have fewer rights”.
• An uncompromising stance: The President of the European Commission recalled the historic struggle for gender equality, equal treatment, and equal pay. She stressed that equality is not a one-off historic achievement, but a process that requires constant protection.
• A declaration of resistance: “Women will not give up. We will defend our rights. And we will continue to defend our values every day”, von der Leyen said.

Protecting Children in the Digital World: Olea's Tragedy and the Children's Rights Act

One of the most emotional and impactful themes of the address was children's online safety.

• Digital addiction: Young Europeans spend four to six hours a day in front of screens, becoming addicted to algorithms and platforms designed to hold their attention. The speech stated: “Children are being robbed of their childhood”.
• A personal tragedy as a catalyst for political action: The story of Olea, a 14-year-old Belgian schoolgirl who died by suicide after being bullied online, was cited as an example of the devastating consequences of cyberbullying. The deceased girl's mother said: “I am convinced that if it were not for these ubiquitous networks, my daughter would still be alive. Enough is enough”.
• Legislative measures: The EU announced a proposal to adopt the Children’s Rights Act (Children’s Rights Act), which will establish different levels of protection for different age groups. Platforms will be prohibited from using addictive features and algorithms that expose children to extreme content. Tech giants will be required to demonstrate that their services are safe for minors.

Disinformation, the rule of law, and migration balance

The concluding sections of the speech addressed the resilience of democratic institutions and the EU’s external borders.

• Combating disinformation: The right to freely form opinions and participate in democracy directly depends on a reliable information environment. Disinformation and foreign interference were identified as direct threats to trust in a free press and the democratic process.
• Linking the EU budget to human rights: Compliance with the rule of law and fundamental rights is declared a mandatory condition for receiving EU funding, both under the current budget and future budgets.
• Migration policy: Brussels says strict control of external borders must be combined with unwavering respect for the rights of asylum seekers and the creation of conditions for safe and legal migration.

The 2026 address demonstrates that human rights are becoming the European Union's primary criterion for all political, economic, and financial decisions. Despite technological shifts and geopolitical pressure, people and their dignity remain the central focus of European policy.