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Recent News

FRA joins panel to speak to European Parliamentary Committee about Hungary(09 February 2012)

On 9 February, FRA Director Morten Kjaerum is one of the experts speaking to a hearing at the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) about the situation in Hungary.

FRA attends informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Council(30 January 2012)

The JHA informal Council, taking place at the beginning of each new Presidency, is intended to allow for a free discussion on key issues among ministers of justice and home affairs.

Remembering the Holocaust reminds us of the need to step up human rights compliance (27 January 2012)

Today, 27 January we mark the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, in honour of the memory of the millions of victims - including Jews, Roma, homosexuals, and people with disabilities - that were annihilated by the Nazi regime. On 27 January 1945, the largest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was liberated.

New FRA report - The Racial Equality Directive: application and challenges(25 January 2012)

This report draws on over a decade of research by the FRA and its predecessor, the European Union Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, to give an analysis of the progress and remaining obstacles in the application of the EU directive.

ECJ Judge Maria Berger gives presentation to FRA staff (10 January 2012)

The Austrian Judge at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg, Maria Berger, visited the FRA on 9 January and gave a presentation to staff on "The Fundamental Rights Charter in light of the case-law of the EU Court of Justice".

Greater inclusion brings growth(10 December 2011)

To mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December, FRA Director, Morten Kjaerum says Europe should seek to build a more inclusive society that will ultimately help Europe grow.

The economic crisis threatens participation and inclusion of people with disabilities (02 December 2011)

This year's European Day of Persons with Disabilities conference, on 1-2 December in Brussels, specifically focuses on the effects of the crisis on people with disabilities. It brings together organisations representing people with disabilities and relevant stakeholders to identify best practice solutions to offset the effects of the economic crisis on people with disabilities. On this important European Day, the FRA underlines that it will continue its efforts to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities.

Opinion of the FRA Management Board on a new Multi-Annual Framework(02 December 2011)

2 December 2011 - In accordance with Art. 5 (1) of Council Regulation 168/2007 of 15 February 2007, the European Commission invited the Management Board of the Agency to give an opinion on the Multi-Annual Framework (MAF) of the Agency for the period 2013-2018.

©Photo: SheCat

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women(25 November 2011)

Statement by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

Every day, women in Europe continue to suffer from violations of their human rights in the form of gender-based violence. In addition to the impact this has on the lives of the women concerned, the consequences of violence extend to women's families, their communities and society in general.

Fundamental Rights Conference 2011(24 November 2011)

On 21-22 November the agency hosted its annual Fundamental Rights Conference 'Dignity and rights of irregular migrants'.

Call for applications to Croatian civil society organisations for the Fundamental Rights Platform as observers(22 November 2011)

As the Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP) is open to the participation of EU candidate countries as observers, the Fundamental Rights Agency is inviting non-governmental organisations and other institutions of civil society, active in the field of fundamental rights at national, European and international level based in Croatia to become observers to the FRP.

UPDATE - call now closed (31/01/2012)

Protect children’s rights during economic crisis for the benefit of Europe today and tomorrow(21 November 2011)

Three years on and the economic and financial crisis shows no sign of abating. Vulnerable groups are most at risk. To mark the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November, the FRA wishes to reaffirm its commitment to securing the fundamental rights of children, many seriously affected by public service cuts in education, health and social services.

"Promoting equality means capturing diversity"(16 November 2011)

FRA Director Morten Kjaerum addresses participants of the 5th European Equality Summit on the subject of "Effective equality policies at the local level"

FRA Director discusses Roma rights at international panel debate with Nobel laureate(11 November 2011)

On 10 November, FRA Director Morten Kjaerum, gave a speech at the Europe 2011 debate in Berlin. During the debate, ‘What Do You Mean by Gypsy? - How Europe is Treating its Largest Minority', Mr Kjaerum talked about the human rights situation of Sinti and Roma in Europe, as drawn from the data and evidence collected by the FRA.

Photo (c) Claus Bach / Stiftung Gedenkstätten Buchenwald und Mittelbau-Dora

FRA and Yad Vashem Launch Educators' Toolkit on the Holocaust and Human Rights(09 November 2011)

On 9 November 2011, FRA and Yad Vashem launched a new educational initiative: the Toolkit (beta) on the Holocaust and Human Rights Education in the EU. Three years ago, on 9 November 2008, marking 70 years since the Kristallnacht Pogrom, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and Yad Vashem initiated an educational project to create an online pedagogical tool - a Toolkit on the Holocaust and Human Rights Education.

New FRA report: there is a need to improve the fulfilment of the rights of people with mental health problems(25 October 2011)

FRA launches the second publication of the project on the ‘Fundamental rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and persons with mental health problems'.

FRA speaks in LIBE Committee Hearing “A Common European Asylum system by 2012?”(21 October 2011)

FRA contributed to two sessions of the LIBE Committee Hearing on "A Common European Asylum system by 2012?"

FRA presents the report “Migrants in an irregular situation: access to healthcare in 10 EU Member States” to MEPs (21 October 2011)

On 17 October 2011, FRA presented the newly-published report "Migrants in an irregular situation: access to healthcare in 10 EU Member States"  in the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), in Brussels. The report explores access to healthcare both in law and practice for irregular migrants in 10 EU Member States.

Holocaust and Human Rights Education Conference and Report(20 October 2011)

The FRA, European Commission and the Anne Frank House held a conference on the Holocaust and Human Rights Education on 20-21 October.

(c) OSCE

FRA commits to join the fight against human trafficking(18 October 2011)

The FRA pledged its support to work together with other EU Agencies to combat human trafficking, conservatively estimated to be around 2.5 million people globally, during the EU's fifth Anti-Trafficking day conference in Warsaw today.

FRA and Committee of the Regions discuss fundamental rights of irregular migrants(17 October 2011)

The FRA and the European Union Committee of the Regions (CoR) held their 3rd Annual Dialogue on Multi-level Protection and Promotion of Fundamental Rights. This year's event was called 'Implementing fundamental rights of irregular migrants - toward multi-level governance'

People with mental health problems have rights !(10 October 2011)

Today on World Mental Health Day, the FRA wishes to reaffirm its commitment to continue its work on the fundamental rights of people with mental health problems.

Morten Kjaerum delivers keynote speech celebrating 60th Anniversary of the IOM (30 September 2011)

The IOM held a celebratory 60th anniversary event in Vienna on 29 September 2011. FRA Director, Morten Kjaerum gave one of the keynote speeches.

The FRA reports on minority discrimination and racism towards minorities(29 September 2011)

The FRA is launching a new report on discrimination and racism towards minorities on 29 September 2011, bringing together the latest changes in the EU and nationally since the Lisbon Treaty entered into force.

FRA, Council of Europe host roundtable on transgender rights(27 September 2011)

The FRA and the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights jointly organised and hosted a roundtable discussion on the rights of transgender persons on 22-23 September in Vienna.

The FRA addressed major Roma mayoral summit(23 September 2011)

On 22 September over 300 participants from 34 countries gathered in Strasbourg to set up a coalition of cities and regions that aims to improve the situation of Europe's 10-12 million Roma and Travellers.

FRA meets national liaison officers to even better respond to national needs(16 September 2011)

On 15-16 September, the agency hosted one of its bi-annual meetings with its National Liaison Officers (NLOs).

FRA supports independent living for people with disabilities(13 September 2011)

The FRA is speaking at the European Network for Independent Living (ENIL) conference on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Strasbourg on 13 September 2011. While in Strasbourg, the FRA is also attending ENIL’s fifth Freedom Drive.

Fundamental Rights Conference 2011 – visit the new conference website (02 September 2011)

Entitled 'Dignity and rights of irregular migrants', this year's Fundamental Rights Conference (FRC) will address challenges faced by irregular migrants in the European Union.

3,000 FRA fans now on Facebook(02 September 2011)

Want to know more about FRA? FRA's Facebook page, Twitter feed and YouTube channels make it easier for you to keep abreast of the  latest news, photos and videos.

Austrian State Secretary for Integration Sebastian Kurz and FRA director Morten Kjaerum

Austrian State Secretary for Integration Sebastian Kurz pays visit to FRA (29 July 2011)

Sebastian Kurz, State Secretary for Integration in the Austrian Ministry for the Interior, visited the FRA on 29 July to discuss possible avenues for co-operation in the field of integration.

FRA shocked by attacks in Norway, underscores importance of defending equality and diversity(25 July 2011)

The Fundamental Rights Agency is deeply shocked by the tragic events in Norway, in which 76 persons died.
German State Secretary for Justice Max Stadler and FRA director Morten Kjaerum

German State Secretary for Justice visits FRA(11 July 2011)

Max Stadler, Parliamentary State Secretary of the German Ministry of Justice visited the FRA in Vienna.
FRA stand at the European Social Services Conference

European Social Services Conference(06 July 2011)

From 6th to 8th July the FRA attended the 19th European Social Services Conference in Warsaw, organised by the European Social Network (ESN).
FRA director Morten Kjaerum

Conference Minority rights post-Lisbon(27 June 2011)

FRA Director Morten Kjaerum spoke at a conference on "Protection of national and linguistic Minorities in the post-Lisbon era" at the European Parliament on 27 June.
FRA Director meets with Council of Europe

FRA Director meets with Council of Europe (23 June 2011)

FRA Director, Morten Kjaerum, spoke at the launch of the Council of Europe's report "Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in Europe" in Strasbourg on 23 June. The report builds on the Agency's analysis of the human rights situation of LGBT people in the 27 EU Member States. With this report, the Council of Europe has extended the analysis to 20 additional European countries; for some, for the very first time ever.

FRA Director Morten Kjaerum at the Global Media Forum 2011

FRA Director Morten Kjaerum gave a keynote speech at the Global Media Forum 2011 in Bonn(21 June 2011)

This year the forum was entitled ‘Human Rights in a Globalised World: Challenges for the media'. The European Fundamental Rights Agency also hosted a diversity workshop for media professionals.

Asylum seeker in a detention centre in Malta (c) European Commission

World Refugee Day: Need for more EU solidarity(20 June 2011)

"Although Europe has already 60 years of experience in implementing the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the protection of refugees remains a major challenge in Europe in 2011," said FRA Director, Morten Kjaerum, on World Refugee Day (20 June).

EUobserver interview with FRA Director Morten Kjaerum

EUobserver interview with FRA Director Morten Kjaerum(16 June 2011)

Morten Kjaerum talks about fundamental rights: challenges and achievements in 2010.

UNDP and FRA logos

The FRA has signed today a cooperation agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)(25 May 2011)

The FRA signed a cooperation agreement with UNDP on 25 May. The cooperation between UNDP and FRA will focus on data collection and research, networking and common events, communication and awareness raising activities and capacity development.

International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia

FRA prepares new survey to better measure homo- and transphobia in Europe(17 May 2011)

Today, on the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, in some EU countries, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are better protected than before. However, in others they are not, underlining the need for the relevant governments to act to treat all citizens equally across a variety of issues. The Agency will provide policy makers with concrete evidence of unfair treatment, abuse or violence following the launch of its survey of LGBT people in early 2012.

FRA Symposium on fundamental rights indicators

FRA Symposium on fundamental rights indicators(13 May 2011)

The event is set in the context of the FRA's mandate to develop methods and standards that will improve the comparability, objectivity and reliability of data collected at the European level. The Symposium will be comprised of presentations of case studies, panel discussions and working groups focusing on specific themes. It will take place on 12-13 May at the FRA's premises in Vienna.

Stakeholder consultation meeting on forthcoming survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews

Stakeholder engagement and consultation meeting on the FRA's survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews(02 May 2011)

On 2 and 3 May 2011, the FRA held a stakeholder consultation meeting on its forthcoming survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews.

9th Meeting of the National Liaison Officers (NLOs)

9th Meeting of the National Liaison Officers (NLOs)(28 April 2011)

The 9th Meeting of the National Liaison Officers (NLOs) to the Agency was held on 28-29 April 2011 in Vienna.

Audience at the 4th FRP meeting in Vienna

Fourth Meeting of the Fundamental Rights Platform(14 April 2011)

On 14-15 April the fourth Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP) meeting brought together around 180 civil society representatives from all Member States of the EU and working across all themes included in the Agency's Multi-Annual Framework.

Viviane Reding speaking at the fifth meeting of the Integrated European Platform for Roma

Fifth meeting of European Platform for Roma Inclusion (07 April 2011)

The fifth meeting of the Integrated European Platform for Roma inclusion took place in Budapest on 7th and 8th April. The meeting brought together a wide variety of stakeholders including representatives from the Member States and candidate countries, EU institutions, international organisations, Roma civil society and academia.

FRA will support Commission’s drive to improve the situation of Roma across the EU (05 April 2011)

The European Commission announced today a ground-breaking initiative aimed at improving the lives and ensuring the enjoyment of fundamental rights for millions of Roma living across the European Union.

Image depicting a statue holding a balance, symbolising justice (cover of the EU Commission report)

FRA Director co-presents today European Commission's report on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights(31 March 2011)

Today the European Commission is publishing the first report on the application of the Charter, since it became legally binding for EU institutions and national authorities when they implement EU law.
Morten Kjaerum giving a speech at the Budapest conference

The FRA participates at the International Conference "Protecting victims in the EU: The Road ahead"(23 March 2011)

The Hungarian Ministry of Public Administration and Justice with the support of FRA is organising an international conference on the 23-24 March 2011 in Budapest.
Black human symbol standing out in a row of white ones

Joint statement on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (FRA, OSCE/ODIHR and ECRI)(21 March 2011)

STRASBOURG, VIENNA, WARSAW 21 March 2011 - In a joint statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Nils Muiznieks, Chair of the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), Morten Kjaerum, Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and Janez Lenarčič, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), strongly condemned manifestations of racism and related intolerance.

People at round table in the meeting

Fifth Inter-Institutional Meeting on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights(18 March 2011)

On 14 March 2011, the Council of Europe invited representatives of international institutions and civil society organisations to discuss strategies to assist member States with the national implementation of regional and international texts on citizenship and human rights education.

Trevor Phillips, Chair of the UK EHRC

Head of UK equality body visits FRA(15 March 2011)

The Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the UK, Trevor Phillips, visited the FRA's headquarters in Vienna on 14 March 2011.

International Women's Day - three different women smiling

100th anniversary of International Women’s Day(08 March 2011)

On the occasion of the 100th International Women's day, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) underlines that there is still much to be done to achieve gender equality. There is much progress to be made if we are to close the gap between the universally recognised fundamental rights of women and the reality on the ground. For example, while discrimination based on gender is legally prohibited in the entire EU, in practice it persists across important areas of every day life: in education and employment, in access to healthcare and other services.

Dutch Immigration and Asylum Minister visits FRA(04 March 2011)

Gerd Leers, the Minister for Immigration and Asylum Affairs of The Netherlands, visited the FRA premises in Vienna today, where he met with the Agency's senior management.
Photo of  European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding

Interview with European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship(17 February 2011)

European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, will visit the Fundamental Rights Agency on 18 February 2011. In advance of her visit, Vice-President Reding answered questions posed by the FRA regarding the situation of fundamental rights in the EU and the Agency's role in translating theory into practice. Read the full interview below.  

Cover of the EU-MIDIS Data in Focus 5: multiple discrimination

The FRA publishes report on multiple discrimination based on EU-MIDIS survey(02 February 2011)

Today the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is publishing its findings on multiple discrimination at the European Union agencies exhibition "The way ahead", held at the European Parliament.

Logo of the Exhibition at the European Parliament - EU Agencies, The way ahead

EU agencies: the way ahead(31 January 2011)

From 31 January to 3 February 2011 specialised European agencies will take part in an exhibition held at the European Parliament in Brussels. They will be presenting in four thematic clusters how they collaborate on various policy issues and what impact they have had at national and international level.
Photo of a girl covering her eyes behind a wired fence of a concentration camp

The FRA on International Holocaust Remembrance Day(27 January 2011)

International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the liberation of the concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau and recalls the tragic fate of the millions of victims, including Jews, Roma, homosexuals, and persons with disabilities. The Holocaust did not simply happen overnight, but was the result of a systematic campaign by the Nazis.