Equality

Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Equality is a core value of the EU. You have the right to fair treatment regardless of who you are, what you believe, or how you chose to live.

We carry out research and share expertise to help fight discrimination, inequality and racism in all its forms.

Highlights

  • Report / Paper / Summary
    25
    November
    2024
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    25
    October
    2024
    Racism towards Muslims is increasing in countries across the EU. Muslims face racial discrimination and racist harassment because of their religion, skin colour or ethnic background. This report shows a sharp rise since the last survey in 2016.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    11
    July
    2024
    Antisemitism is still a reality for many Jewish people in the EU today. Faced with prejudice and hostility, most feel unable to live openly Jewish lives. This report presents the results of FRA’s third EU survey of Jewish people’s experiences and perceptions of antisemitism. The survey took place before the Hamas attacks in October 2023 and the war in Gaza; however, it includes evidence from a consultation with national and European Jewish umbrella organisations since. It covers 13 EU Member States that together account for around 96 % of the EU’s Jewish population.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    14
    May
    2024
    FRA’s third LGBTIQ survey shows that people still experience hate-motivated violence and discrimination. Trans and intersex people face even greater victimisation. Yet, signs of progress show that the EU’s and Member States’ efforts can positively affect people’s lives. More LGBTIQ people are open about their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
    Publications and data
    10
    June
    2025
    This publication is an excerpt from the Fundamental Rights Report 2025, the annual report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). It presents selected critical developments in fundamental rights in 2024, as well as the key findings and FRA opinions from the report’s chapters.
    10
    June
    2025
    The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 is the annual report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). It provides an overview of the state of fundamental rights in the EU and highlights selected critical developments and trends in 2024. The report covers issues such as inclusive elections, gender-based violence, and the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. It presents FRA’s opinions on these developments, setting out the actions that the EU and Member States should take. This annual publication is a valuable resource for those seeking to stay informed about the EU’s shifting landscape of fundamental rights.
    20
    March
    2025
    In recent years, the EU has taken steps to improve child protection, yet some Member States do not have an integrated approach. FRA first produced an overview of child protection systems in the EU in 2014, and an update in 2023. The data is published in FRA’s ‘Mapping of Child Protection Systems in the EU – Update 2023’. This report completements the 2023 update with comparative analysis and provides greater detail on children in vulnerable situations, care and the participation of children in matters affecting them. It also offers guidance on creating comprehensive frameworks that ensure that children’s rights are respected.
    30
    January
    2025
    This technical report presents in detail the stages of the survey implementation and the relevant information needed to assess the quality and reliability of the data.
    25
    November
    2024
    This report presents key results of the EU gender-based violence survey based on data from all 27 Member States. The report focuses on the overall prevalence of physical violence or threats and/or sexual violence by any perpetrator, violence perpetrated by women’s intimate partners and by other people (non-partners) and women’s experiences of sexual harassment at work.
    The results from the EU gender-based violence survey represent women aged 18 to 74 from across the EU. It covers experiences of physical, sexual and psychological violence, including domestic and non-partner violence. It also reports on sexual harassment at work.
    25
    October
    2024
    Racism towards Muslims is increasing in countries across the EU. Muslims face racial discrimination and racist harassment because of their religion, skin colour or ethnic background. This report shows a sharp rise since the last survey in 2016.
    11
    July
    2024
    Antisemitism is still a reality for many Jewish people in the EU today. Faced with prejudice and hostility, most feel unable to live openly Jewish lives. This report presents the results of FRA’s third EU survey of Jewish people’s experiences and perceptions of antisemitism. The survey took place before the Hamas attacks in October 2023 and the war in Gaza; however, it includes evidence from a consultation with national and European Jewish umbrella organisations since. It covers 13 EU Member States that together account for around 96 % of the EU’s Jewish population.
    The third iteration of the EU LGBTIQ Survey of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), was conducted in 2023. It presents the experiences of LGBTIQ people across the EU 27 Member States, and the candidate countries Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, on the extent to which they enjoy fundamental rights. It provides policymakers with a solid empirical basis for evidence-based policies to ensure respect and protection for and fulfilment of the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ people. This interactive data explorer shows data from the survey for over 150 questions and contains multiple options for filtering, exporting and sharing the data.
    5
    June
    2024
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2024 analyses the year’s developments in fundamental rights. It focuses on the most pressing fundamental rights concerns facing Europe in 2023: the cost-of-living crisis, rights concerns at the EU’s external borders and migration, and threats to democracy. Re-structured, this year’s new approach is a shorter and sharper analysis. It also presents FRA’s opinions on these developments, including a summary of the evidence supporting these opinions.
    5
    June
    2024
    The year 2023 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2023 reviews developments in the field, identifying both achievements and remaining areas of concern. This publication presents FRA’s opinions on the main developments in the thematic areas covered and a synopsis of the evidence supporting these opinions. In so doing, it provides a compact but informative overview of the main fundamental rights challenges confronting the EU and its Member States.
    29
    May
    2024
    Ahead of the EU elections, this report explores the political participation of people with disabilities. Although some Member States removed restrictions on the right to vote and to stand for elections, barriers still exist. This report is an update of new developments following FRA’s last report published in 2014. It sets out ways forward to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities, in line with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
    14
    May
    2024
    FRA’s third LGBTIQ survey shows that people still experience hate-motivated violence and discrimination. Trans and intersex people face even greater victimisation. Yet, signs of progress show that the EU’s and Member States’ efforts can positively affect people’s lives. More LGBTIQ people are open about their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
    10
    April
    2024
    Racism in the police can include discriminatory racial profiling practices through to excessive use of force. Incidents like these highlight deeper systemic issues that need addressing. Many in society are affected by racism in policing, not only the individuals or communities targeted. Lack of trust in policing can fuel social exclusion and damages the foundations of a fair and equal society, however promising practices are developing to address these issues. This is the first EU-wide report on racism in policing. FRA’s findings identify gaps in regulatory frameworks and propose concrete steps for action.
    FRA in close cooperation with the European Commission and the Academic Network of European Disability Experts (ANED), developed 28 human rights indicators to assess the political participation of persons with disabilities in the EU.
    2
    February
    2024
    This technical report provides all the relevant technical information on the design, implementation and finalisation of the survey on immigrants and descendants of immigrants. Details of the data collection process also contribute to the iterative improvement of survey methodologies, especially when it comes to surveying populations and groups that are considered ‘hard-to-reach’ or difficult to survey.
    31
    January
    2024
    Children’s rights exist to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child. Improved child protection systems ensure that these rights are met. In recent years, the EU has taken significant steps to improve child protection systems. This mapping of child protection systems gives an overview of the state of such systems at national level and developments since 2015. It promotes the improvement of integrated child protection systems. It is an update of FRA’s mapping of child protection systems in 2015, based on data collected in 2023 in the 27 EU Member States. By publishing this, FRA aims to support securing the sustainable well-being, safety and rights of all children living in the EU.
    29
    November
    2023
    Online hate speech is a growing problem in today’s digitalised societies. Women, Black people, Jews and Roma are often targets of online hate speech. Online hate proliferates where human content moderators miss offensive content. Also, algorithms are prone to errors. They may multiply errors over time and may even end up promoting online hate. This report presents the challenges in identifying and detecting online hate. Hate of any kind should not be tolerated, regardless of whether it is online or offline. The report discusses the implications for fundamental rights to support creating a rights-compliant digital environment.
    7
    November
    2023
    Antisemitic incidents and hate crimes violate fundamental rights. This report provides an overview of antisemitic incidents in 2022. It reveals persistent gaps in the recording of antisemitism across Europe that impedes efforts to effectively counter hatred towards Jews. It covers antisemitic incidents reported in the 27 EU Member States in 2022 and includes available data of the same year from Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia. As this is a yearly publication covering the period 01/01/2022–31/12/2022, it does not include antisemitic incidents reported in 2023. This is the 19th edition and is the only annual source of data of this nature for the EU.
    Findings from FRA’s Being Black in the EU report point to people of African descent experiencing widespread racism and discrimination in their daily lives.
    Findings from FRA’s Being Black in the EU report point to people of African descent experiencing widespread racism and discrimination in their daily lives.
    Young? Passionate about human rights? Having the right data can make a world of difference for your campaigning.
    On 7 May 2022, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) organised the fourth Fundamental Rights Dialogue – a live debate that gives young people an opportunity to voice their fundamental rights concerns and to discuss ways to solve them.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty, points to the need to recommit to human rights, as evidenced by the wide-ranging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here he refers to vaccine inequalities and the impact on marginalised communities, disadvantaged children and frontline workers. As he explains in this vlog, human rights can help fix and strengthen society so we are ready for the next pandemic.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty talks about the importance of celebrating diversity in our societies. He calls on everyone to build bridges and listen to each other, so we can create a society where everyone is equal in dignity and in rights.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty highlights the need to work together to tackle hate and discrimination in our societies.
    If we are serious about protecting fundamental rights, we need to start listening to young people and what they have to tell us. This message came through very strongly at the Fundamental Rights Forum 2021. As we kick off the European Year of Youth 2022, let’s look at why listening to young people is key to protecting their rights.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty points to the urgent need to work towards a fairer society and asks us all, as we go forward, to work less for people in the struggle for equality, but much more with them.
    On 23 February 2021, FRA’s Director, Michael O’Flaherty, listened to fundamental rights concerns and discussed ways to solve them. The second Fundamental Rights Dialogue invited young people to participate in shaping our societies, placing human rights centre stage.
    Drawing on the ‘Encouraging hate crime reporting: the role of law enforcement and other authorities' report, in this infographic FRA outlines why reporting is so important and what must change to encourage hate crime reporting.
    On 16 June, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights publishes the seventh of its bulletins on the fundamental rights impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his vlog FRA Director draws attention to fundamental rights issues related to the roll out of the vaccines in the EU 27 Member States.
    There are many reasons for the police to stop someone. But prejudice should not be one of them. Find out what FRA is doing to end discriminatory police stops.
    There are many reasons why adults may find themselves in a situation of vulnerability - because of their age, health or disability. Vulnerable people are at greater risk of unfair treatment, exploitation or abuse. And cross-border settings can lead to additional obstacles. It's time to address these challenges and identify the needs of vulnerable adults so everyone can enjoy their fundamental rights.
    This video statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was recorded for the online event '2021 Mayors Summit Against Anti-Semitism' which took place on 16 March 2021. The event was hosted by the city of Frankfurt am Main in partnership with the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM).
    On 13 November, the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) hosted its first Fundamental Rights Dialogue - a virtual event that gave young people an opportunity to voice their fundamental rights concerns and discussed ways to solve them with FRA's Director Michael O'Flaherty.
    This video statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was recorded for the online event "Union of Equality: achievements and challenges ahead".
    Although many steps have been taken in recent years to change LGBTI people’s lives for the better in the EU, there is still a long way to go, notes FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty in this video message to Athens Pride 2020.
    In his latest vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty speaks about the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Roma community. Roma children are in danger of losing almost a whole year of schooling. It’s like losing a generation. It’s robbing children of the one place where they can have hope and dream the same dreams of every other child.
    In this video message to the Equality2020 conference on 29 June, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty speaks about our shared struggle for a Europe that honours everybody in their diversity, in their equality and in their dignity.
    In this video message FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty speaks about LGBTI equality on the occasion of the Global Pride 2020:
    https://www.globalpride2020.org/
    FRA joined an online consultation for the new Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights. Seven EU agencies provided input to a review of the first Action Plan, its achievements and gaps in implementation, as well as proposals for future actions and possible contributions by the Agencies.
    On 14 June, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) will march alongside the Diplomats for Equality and the EU institutions in Vienna to celebrate love, equality and inclusion at the Vienna Pride Parade. This year’s march will also pause to honour the victims of the recent tragic school shooting in Graz, standing in solidarity with the affected communities.
    On 11 June, FRA hosted an online information session for public authorities. It presented key findings from its report ‘Towards Integrated Child Protection Systems - Challenges, promising practices and ways forward’.
    Threats to democracy, stark levels of violence against women and rights abuses at the EU’s borders - these are some of the key challenges detailed in FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2025. The report provides telling evidence of fundamental rights under threat across Europe. This must act as a wake-up call for Member States and EU Institutions to prevent the erosion of rights and stop democratic backsliding.
    FRA has submitted a contribution to the call for evidence of the European Commission for the European affordable housing plan. President von der Leyen announced in the Political Guidelines 2024-2029 that the new European Commission will put forward the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan.
    On 8 May in Rome, FRA attended a conference analysing the methodology used in European countries to collect data on the presence of Roma communities.
    FRA spoke about remembrance and democracy in a changing Europe during the first international event of the FREI – From Resistance to European Integration project.
    FRA and the European Institute for Gender Equality discussed the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment during an online Eurochambres workshop on 23 May. It was an opportunity to present the Eurostat, FRA, EIGE survey on gender-based violence to the business community.
    At the German Antidiscrimination Days 2025 from 13 to 14 May, FRA contributed to a panel on anti-Muslim racism, addressing its manifestations in education, employment and housing, as well as the experiences of queer Muslims.
    We – The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs and the diplomatic missions of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna, Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Uruguay, as well as the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the European Investment Bank, UN-Globe and the Diplomatische Akademie Wien – Vienna School of International Studies – all welcome 17 May as the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), as a celebration of sexual and gender diversity and inclusion around the world.
    On 9 and 10 April, FRA took part in the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy joint consultation and a meeting of the LGBTIQ Equality Subgroup in Brussels.
    FRA met members of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) Working Group on the UN’s Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD).
    FRA attended a meeting of Eurostat’s equality and non-discrimination statistics task force on 19 and 20 March in Luxembourg.
    FRA took part in a consultation on Luxembourg’s LGBTIQ Equality Action Plan and related policies.
    On 27 March, FRA took part in a meeting of the EU Disability Platform in Brussels. FRA presented the history, composition, tasks, operation and the work programme 2025-2026 of the EU Monitoring Framework of the UN’s Disability Convention.
    FRA took part in the second review of the EU’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD) to which the EU is a Party. FRA participated as a member of the EU level monitoring framework and supported the CRPD Committee with data and research on people with disabilities.
    FRA took part in a coordination meeting on combatting anti-Muslim hatred and racism, organised jointly by the European Commission and the Council of Europe. The event aimed at further facilitating dialogue among institutional stakeholders dedicated to combatting anti-Muslim hatred and racism.
    Child protection in the EU has improved over the years, but significant gaps remain, finds a report from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Fragmented laws and policies, split responsibilities and limited resources are impediments to fully integrated child protection systems that safeguard children's rights.
    As human rights and democracy come under increasing pressure worldwide, the discussions at the latest Fundamental Rights Forum remain as relevant as ever. On 11-12 March 2024, the Forum gathered diverse voices to tackle some of the most pressing human rights challenges of our time. The Forum’s videos on FRA’s YouTube channel offer insights into issues, such as democratic resilience, freedom of expression, and challenges to the rule of law - all critical in today's shifting political landscape.
    The European Green Deal is the EU’s principal strategy to tackle climate change: a green transition that strives to leave no one behind. A new paper from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) reveals a fragmented approach to addressing the impact of climate change on fundamental rights. The paper argues that a systematic application of fundamental rights standards and obligations in EU climate policy could more effectively advance a just and inclusive transition.
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    The 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child will take place from 23 to 24 June in Brussels. The theme is championing children’s rights: Building fair and resilient societies for the EU’s present and future.
    FRA, EIGE and EU-OSHA will meet EuroCommerce to discuss the use of the results from the EU’s gender-based violence survey concerning sexual harassment at work.
    FRA will speak at a webinar on civic space and civic participation, that will kick off European Pro Bono Week 2025, a Europe-wide celebration of the work of pro bono lawyers who support civil society, advance access to justice, and promote the rule of law.
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    FRA will participate in the EU Roma Management Committee meeting organised by Fundacion Secretariado Gitano. FRA will provide an update on the recent Roma survey 2024.
    In the upcoming financial mechanism period of the EEA/Norway Grants, FRA will perform the role of International Partner Organisation on Roma inclusion in Slovakia.
    FRA will join a meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers as a panellist at their first informal meeting dedicated to the topic of dismantling Gender Norms: A discussion on Harmful Gender Stereotypes.
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    From 2 to 4 June, policymakers, practitioners, academics and civil society meet at the World Congress on Justice with Children 2025 in Madrid. The focus will be on advancing child-centred justice, preventing and responding to violence affecting children in child justice systems.
    FRA will take part in the European IDAHOT+ Forum. The Forum’s theme will be advancing Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIGESC) Equality and Inclusion in a Transforming Europe.
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    FRA will take part virtually in a meeting of the Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training from 20 to 21 May.
    On 30 April, FRA will contribute to a CEPOL webinar on fighting antisemitism online and offline. The webinar aims at improving law enforcement actions against violence and discrimination against Jews.
    On 29 April, FRA will host a webinar for interested organisations within the Agency’s Fundamental Rights Platform. The webinar will explore the vital role civil society organisations play in driving more integrated child protection systems.
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    FRA will join a consultation that will prepare for the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy post-2025. This will include a discussion on the new mandate of the LGBTIQ Equality Subgroup and on the role of Member States in implementing the strategy through national action plans and relations with the European Commission.
    On 3 April, FRA will speak during the mid-term review conference of the Council of Europe’s child rights strategy (2022-2027). The event in Strasbourg looks towards a child justice system which guarantees the respect and the effective implementation of children’s rights.
    FRA will contribute to the Luxembourg National Dialogue and consultation about the forthcoming action plan to promote LGBTIQ Equality.
    On 26 March, FRA will host an online stakeholders’ consultation on the Roma Survey 2024. There will be breakout discussions in national languages.
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    FRA will join the annual meeting of the Infra4NextGen Consortium Meeting as member of its stakeholder board.
    FRA will join the regular meeting of the National Roma Contact Points. The European Commission-organised meeting takes place in Brussels on 20 March.
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    FRA will take part in a CRPD Committee review meeting from 10 to 12 March in Geneva of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). FRA is a member of the EU’s CRPD Monitoring Framework.
    FRA and EIGE will give a presentation on the EU Gender-Based Violence survey results to the Luxembourg Ministry of Gender Equality and Diversity. The coordination committee that deals with measures to combat violence against women and domestic violence will also attend.
    Members of the Roma survey Technical Working Group for Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia as well as survey implementing agencies will meet online on 5 March. . The members are the UN Development Programme, the World Bank and FRA.