This resolution by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe underscores the vital role of national equality bodies in upholding democracy and combating discrimination. Noting with concern the growing pressure on equality and human rights across Europe — including from anti-gender movements and foreign interference — the Assembly calls on member States to strengthen and properly resource these independent institutions, ensuring their mandates cover all grounds of discrimination, from ethnic origin and religion to gender identity and disability. It stresses the importance of structured co-operation between equality bodies and national parliaments, urging lawmakers to systematically seek and act upon their recommendations. The resolution also highlights the need to support civil society organisations, improve data collection on equality issues, and consider establishing a Europe-wide early warning mechanism to detect and respond to democratic backsliding. Finally, it addresses the double-edged nature of artificial intelligence, calling on member States to guard against its misuse for discrimination and hate speech whilst harnessing its potential to advance equality, and encouraging the ratification of the Council of Europe's landmark AI Convention.