The mission of the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) is to promote and protect the Rule of Law within Europe, in particular, through defending and strengthening the independence of the judiciary. The ENCJ uses various approaches and engages different tools to fulfil its mission.

On 4-6 June 2025 the XXI ENCJ General Assembly took place in Riga under the overarching topic 'Confronting Threats to the Rule of Law'. It culminated with the adoption of Riga declaration dedicated to the topic. 

Recent political shifts, societal changes, changes in the media landscape and effects of digital advances have given rise to challenges to the Rule of Law. The declaration therefore singles out the areas, where such challenges arise from the viewpoint of Councils for the Judiciary. The following approaches to confront these challenges are identified: the necessity of constant vigilance of Councils for the Judiciary to timely identify the threats to judicial independence and the Rule of Law; building trust of society in the judiciary; telling the story of the judiciary, including, what added value an independent judiciary brings for citizens and what benefits it provides to their country's economic welfare and stability; building and maintaining the resilience of the judiciary. Lastly, the fundamental value of solidarity among the European judiciaries is underlined.