"Every second EU citizen ranks the protection of fundamental rights as the most important value to be defended" said FRA Director Morten Kjaerum to the European Parliament today. "The Treaty of Lisbon paves the way for a more fundamental rights-oriented process of law making. Positive initiatives have been developed in many Member States in 2009 to ensure that fundamental rights are protected. However, in these difficult economic times, the EU must guarantee more than ever that there is no rollback on fundamental rights protection. In particular, EU Member States need to ensure that bodies set up to protect and promote fundamental rights are really able to do so in practice, thereby making fundamental rights a reality for everyone in the EU."
The FRA 2010 Annual Report provides concrete and comparative data on the situation on the ground in the 27 EU Member States. It also provides advice to the EU institutions and Member States, based on the evidence found.
The Agency's surveys and studies undertaken in 2009 in particular show that many equality bodies, national human rights institutions and data protection authorities lack resources, are not independent enough, and often have very weak mandates. Many separated asylum-seeking children disappear whilst their case is being processed. LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual) persons suffer discrimination in areas of everyday life, such as at work or in bars. Racism continues to be a part of everyday life for many immigrants and minorities living in the EU, and the majority of EU Member States do not keep official records of racist crime.
For further information please contact the FRA Media Team:
E-mail: media@fra.europa.eu Tel.: +43 1 58030-642
Notes to editors
Please consult the original ENGLISH version of the press release and media memo. The Fundamental Rights Agency cannot guarantee the accuracy of translated versions of these documents.
