FRA was a panel speaker in a discussion on “Guaranteeing access to healthcare for undocumented migrants in Europe: What role can local and regional authorities play?”
On 13 December, at its 16th Meeting, the Management Board elected Mr Hent Kalmo, the Estonian Member of the Management Board, as 2nd Member of the FRA Executive Board not appointed ex officio.
In relation to the European Commission proposal for a Directive on the freezing and confiscation of proceeds of crime in the European Union, the European Parliament requested advice from FRA on the extent to which confiscation of proceeds of crime could go without breaching fundamental rights.
This year on International Human Rights Day on 10 December, the EU will officially receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The prize acknowledges how the EU has forged ahead to promote peace, democracy and fundamental rights throughout Europe over the last six decades.
During a round-table discussion on Roma violence, exclusion, insecurity at the European Parliament, FRA presented the findings of its recent Roma survey.
On the second day of this year’s FRC, participants heard a speech from the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks. He emphasised the necessity of a well-functioning justice system, saying “human rights and the rule of law are empty words when the justice system is inefficient or inaccessible”.
The first day of the FRC was devoted to discussing the importance of access to justice for all. In his opening speech, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said “Fundamental rights and economic success are two sides of the same coin. We need to monitor fundamental rights as we monitor budget deficits.”