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

  • Data explorer
    FRA’s 2024 survey on Roma and Travellers in Albania, Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Spain collected information from 10,126 respondents living in private households who self-identify as Roma or Traveller, are 16 or older and have lived in the survey countries for at least the 12 months before the survey.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    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.
  • 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.
    Publications and data
    3
    November
    2022
    Antisemitic incidents and hate crimes violate fundamental rights, especially the right to human dignity, the right to equality of treatment and the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This report provides an overview of available data on antisemitism as recorded by official and unofficial sources in the EU Member States and in Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia. The data provided by the countries are supplemented with information from international organisations.
    25
    October
    2022
    02 November 2022
    This report presents findings from FRA’s 2021 survey on Roma in Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain, as well as in North Macedonia and Serbia. The survey includes interviews with more than 8,400 Roma, collecting information on more than 20,000 individuals living in their households. By focusing on Roma, the survey provides unique data and information that are not available from European general population surveys, which do not disaggregate on grounds of ethnic origin. The findings present a bleak but familiar picture of exclusion, deprivation, discrimination and racism.
    Young? Passionate about human rights? Having the right data can make a world of difference for your campaigning.
    16
    September
    2022
    Europe stands at a delicate moment in its history, facing a convergence of major tests. Each of them taken on their own is significant. Together, they pose profound questions about the political, economic, and societal future of the continent. This is a moment for strong commitment to put human rights at the heart of our vision for Europe’s future. It is also time to demonstrate our determination to work together to this end. Against this backdrop, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) brought together around sixty human rights leaders and experts from across the continent to discuss elements of a human rights vision for the future and to identify opportunities for action. A full conference report will be available soon, including the specific ideas and proposals which arose from the meeting. Meanwhile, this is a summary of the conclusions.
    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.
    8
    June
    2022
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2022 reviews major developments in the field in 2021, identifying both achievements and areas of concern. It also presents FRA’s opinions on these developments, including a synopsis of the evidence supporting these opinions.
    8
    June
    2022
    This focus looks at the impact of the pandemic on social rights. It examines the measures in national recovery and resilience plans that address the social vulnerabilities among a variety of population groups in the EU, including women, children and young people in situations of vulnerability, people with disabilities, older people, Roma and people in precarious working conditions.
    8
    June
    2022
    All language versions now available
    14 September 2022
    The year 2021 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2022 reviews major 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 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.
    The Fundamental Rights Survey is the first survey to collect comprehensive and comparable data on people’s experiences and views of their rights in the EU-27. The survey included questions related to rights in a number of different areas, including crime victimisation and safety, data protection and privacy, functioning of the democracy, views on human rights and experiences with public services.
    7
    April
    2022
    ES, NL and PL version now available
    17 June 2025
    Children are full-fledged holders of rights. They are beneficiaries of all human and fundamental rights and subjects of special regulations, given their specific characteristics. This handbook aims to illustrate how European law and case law accommodate the specific interests and needs of children. It also considers the importance of parents and guardians or other legal representatives and makes reference, where appropriate, to situations in which rights and responsibilities are most prominently vested in children’s carers. It is a point of reference on both European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE) law related to these subjects, explaining how each issue is regulated under EU law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as well as under the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Social Charter and other CoE instruments.
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty highlights the need to work together to tackle hate and discrimination in our societies.
    FRA’s 2019 survey on Roma and Travellers in Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom interviewed almost 4 700 Roma and Travellers, collecting information on more than 8 200 individuals living in their households.
    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.
    Opinion / Position Paper
    6
    December
    2021
    FRA Opinion 1/21 illustrates the extent and nature of lived experiences of inequality and discrimination across the EU. It does so with reference to the grounds of discrimination and areas of life covered by the racial and employment equality directives, as well as by the proposed Equal Treatment Directive. It was issued on 30 April 2021. This summary presents the main recommendations (‘Key findings and opinions’) outlined in FRA Opinion 1/21.
    9
    November
    2021
    Antisemitic incidents and hate crimes violate fundamental rights, especially the right to human dignity, the right to equality of treatment, and the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This report provides an overview of available data on antisemitism as recorded by official and unofficial sources in the EU Member States as well as Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia. The data provided by the countries are supplemented with information from international organisations.
    7
    July
    2021
    Italian version now available
    12 September 2022
    This report examines why victims do not report bias-motivated incidents and the barriers that they face when reporting incidents through national crime reporting systems. By mapping existing practices that have a bearing on the victim’s experiences when reporting bias-motivated violence and harassment, it aims to provide evidence to support national efforts to encourage and facilitate reporting – and ultimately assist Member States in delivering on their duties with regard to combating hate crime.
    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.
    This infographic illustrates the main experiences immigrants and ethnic minorities across the EU have when it comes to discrimination. It draws from the findings from FRA's EU-MIDIS II survey.
    This infographic illustrates the main experiences immigrants and ethnic minorities across the EU have when it comes to victimisation. It draws from the findings from FRA's EU-MIDIS II survey.
    This infographic illustrates the main experiences immigrants and ethnic minorities across the EU have when it comes to inclusion. It draws from the findings from FRA's EU-MIDIS II survey.
    The Agency, in close cooperation with the Maltese Presidency of the EU Council, held a high-level symposium where the fundamental rights issues that are currently high on the EU’s political agenda were discussed.
    Miltos Pavlou, Senior Programme Manager at the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, talks about the participation of migrants and their descendants in the EU.
    The Agency’s Director, Michael O’Flaherty, took part in a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on 9 February.
    This video message was produced for a holocaust education training for public officials.
    Children should always be supported by a professional support person when they are involved in judicial proceedings, such as being at court. This could be, for example, a social worker or a legal counsellor.
    Children should always be supported by a professional support person when they are involved in judicial proceedings, such as being at court. This could be, for example, a social worker or a legal counsellor.
    During judicial proceedings, such as being at court, children should always be told what is going on. The information should be presented in a child-friendly and understandable way.
    Children need to be heard and be involved in all issues that concern them. This includes the justice system.
    This video was shown in the beginning of the high-level conference “Tackling sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination: next steps in EU and Member State policy making”.
    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.
    On 2 December, the European Parliament’s disability rights week began in Brussels. FRA took part in two hearings.
    FRA supported a meeting of the Czech government Council for Roma minority affairs and its discussions on ethnic data collection.
    On 2 December, FRA presented the results of the EU survey on gender-based violence at the meeting of the Council of the European Union’s Fundamental Rights working party (FREMP).
    FRA held an online information session for public authorities on the findings of the Eurostat-FRA-EIGE EU survey on gender-based violence. The presentation of the key results included an outline of FRA’s engagement with stakeholders at the EU and national level in the framework of the survey.
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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.
    Eurostat, FRA and EIGE will deliver a joint presentation to the Council of Europe on the results of the EU Gender-Based Violence survey.
    FRA’s Director will address the OSCE's annual conference on addressing antisemitism. The OSCE Chairpersonship of Finland in consultation with OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) organised the event.
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    During the week of 27 January, FRA’s Director will have various speaking engagements and participate in several events during her visit to Poland.
    FRA’s Director will give introductory remarks at the international conference on ‘Denial, distortion and disinformation: the truth about the Holocaust 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz’.
    FRA’s Director, Sirpa Rautio, will attend the 80th commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi concentration and extermination camp.
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    FRA will deliver a keynote speech at the opening of the International SYNERGY Network conference. FRA will present the results from the EU gender-based violence survey.
    On 3 December, the Secretariat of Governing Bodies to the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) will host a virtual event to discuss how to fully implement Sustainable Development Goal 16 for people with disabilities.
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    FRA will take part in a meeting of the EU Network for Children’s Rights. FRA will present insights and outputs from its integrated child protection systems project.
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    The workshop co-organised by the European Commission and FRA brought together civil society organisations to discuss the findings of the FRA report 'Being Muslim in the EU' and the challenges they face in combating this form of racism.
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    FRA will join the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub conference organised by the European Commission.
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    FRA will speak about institutional and structural racism during the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) annual seminar with Equality Bodies.
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    FRA will speak at the European Social Network’s annual meeting in Bucharest, taking place from 30 September to 1 October. The seminar will focus on fostering effective coordination between universal and specialist services to ensure an integrated approach to child protection.
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    The General Conference of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR) will take place in Heidelberg from 23 to 25 September.
    The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU invited FRA to speak about the results from the Agency's third survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU.
    FRA will present its work on the fundamental rights impact of the cost-of-living crisis in the EU during a meeting of the Social Rights Platform. The focus will be on the social rights of young people.
    FRA will take part in a meeting of the European Networks of NHRIs’ working group on economic, social and civil rights. The meeting takes place on 2 July in Vilnius.
    FRA’s Director will be a keynote speaker at the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting in Vienna on 24 June that will focus on tolerance, non-discrimination, and gender equality. The Maltese OSCE Chairpersonship and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will organise the meeting.