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
    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.
  • 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.
    Products
    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.
    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.
    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.
    Periodic updates / Series
    16
    June
    2021
    This Coronavirus Bulletin focuses on equitable access to vaccines. It outlines the situation in the 27 EU Member States from 1 March to 30 April 2021. The bulletin looks at two main areas: planning and prioritisation in deploying Covid-19 vaccinations and their rollout in the countries. It covers information and communication campaigns, as well as (pre)registration channels for and the administration of vaccinations.
    10
    June
    2021
    The year 2020 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2021 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.
    10
    June
    2021
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2021 reviews major developments in the field in 2020, 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. This year’s focus chapter explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fundamental rights. The remaining chapters cover: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; equality and non-discrimination; racism, xenophobia and related intolerance; Roma equality and inclusion; asylum, borders and migration; information society, privacy and data protection; rights of the child; access to justice; and the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
    10
    June
    2021
    This focus looks at COVID-19’s impact on fundamental rights. It underscores that a human rights-based approach to tackling the pandemic requires balanced measures that are based on law, necessary, temporary and proportional. It also requires addressing the pandemic’s socio-economic impact, protecting the vulnerable and fighting racism.
    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.
    30
    April
    2021
    This opinion 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 in relation to the grounds and areas covered by the proposed Equal Treatment Directive.
    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.
    30
    March
    2021
    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.
    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).
    The COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on everyone. Governments take urgent measures to curb its spread to safeguard public health and provide medical care to those who need it. They are acting to defend the human rights of health and of life itself. Inevitably, these measures limit our human and fundamental rights to an extent rarely experienced in peacetime. It is important to ensure that such limitations are consistent with our legal safeguards and that their impact on particular groups is adequately taken account of.
    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 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”.
    Over the years, the EU and its Member States have continued to improve child protection systems though gaps still remain. The EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) mapped the current situation across the EU to support efforts to make further improvements.
    FRA took part in a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on 23 January.
    On 17 January, the UN Development Programme held a virtual roundtable event on ‘Being Black in the EU and beyond. People of African Descent, discrimination and the SDGs’. The event was prompted by FRA’s recent publication ‘Being Black in the EU’.
    In Madrid on 30 November, FRA took part in the European Platform for Roma Inclusion, a regular event organised since 2009.
    On 7 December, FRA took part in a meeting of the European Commission’s Interservice Group on Child Rights. The meeting discussed the Commission’s recommendation on integrated child protection systems, planned for the first quarter 2024.
    FRA’s presented its work on antisemitism at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Plenary meeting.
    The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M'jid, visited FRA on 27 November.
    FRA addressed the Council of the EU’s Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons (FREMP) on 15 November in Brussels.
    FRA has updated its anti-Muslim hatred database. It provides an easy-to-use overview of information on hate crime, hate speech and discrimination against Muslims across the EU, Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia.
    The annual overview of antisemitic incidents from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) yet again reveals persistent gaps in the recording of antisemitism across Europe. Each country continues to collect data differently. Some still do not collect any data at all. This impedes efforts to effectively counter hatred towards Jews.
    FRA is aware of the recent reported increase in incidents of intolerance and racial discrimination in EU Member States. The Agency stands firmly against all expressions of intolerance and racial discrimination, including hate speech and violence.
    FRA took part in the Other side of the law: Enforcement of antidiscrimination legislation Equinet conference in Brussels on 12 October.
    Almost half of people of African descent in the EU face racism and discrimination in their daily life – a rise since 2016. Racist harassment and ethnic profiling are also common, especially for young people, finds a new survey from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). FRA calls on EU countries to take urgent steps to tackle racial discrimination and harassment to ensure everybody is treated equally and with dignity.
    FRA provided an update about its child rights research on 20 October to European Commission representatives and child rights experts.
    On 19 October, FRA welcomed members of the Vienna NGO Committees on the Status of Women, on Sustainable Development and on Ageing.
    On 12 October, FRA ran an online consultation on FRA’s work on the rights of people with disabilities.
    FRA took part in the 11th meeting of the EU High Level group on combating hate speech and hate crime.
    FRA facilitated the equality data subgroup’s country visit to Finland. The visit took place on 9 October in Helsinki.
    On 6 October, the EU Coordinator on Rights of the Child hosted European Commission representatives and EU Agencies for an update on the stage of implementation of the EU Strategy on the rights of the child.
    FRA delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the German Society for Evaluation’s annual conference.
    The EU Framework for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities CRPD will hold its second annual meeting in Brussels on 19 June.
    FRA will join round-table discussions on Roma inclusion and empowerment in Romania
    FRA, together with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), will facilitate a workshop on improving hate crime recording.
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    The Eurostat task force on the EU gender-based violence survey will meet virtually from 1 to 2 June.
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    From 1 to 2 June, FRA will take part in a meeting of the Working Group on Equality and Values.
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    The municipality of Vienna launches its third round of equality monitoring on 11 May.
    FRA and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Vienna are co-organising a panel discussion on combating antisemitism.
    FRA will take part in EIGE's gender statistics database expert meeting.
    A delegation of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Equality and Non-Discrimination Committee, and member of the ‘No Hate Parliamentary Alliance’, will visit FRA on 8 May.
    FRA’s Director will participate in the 18th European Union – African Union Human Rights Dialogue on 4 May in Brussels.
    On 27 April, FRA will give an online lecture on the Agency’s work on child rights within the EU context.
    FRA will participate in the European Parliament’s anti-racism and diversity week in Brussels.
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    The European Commission’s Child Rights Coordinator is convening several meetings to move forward with the implementation of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child.
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    The Eurostat working group on crime and criminal justice statistics will hold its annual meeting.
    On 13 March, FRA will welcome the former ambassador of Israel in the EU and Brussels and a delegation of students.
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    From 8 to 9 February, FRA will take part virtually in a meeting of the Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training.
    FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty will give a speech on liberal democracy at the European Parliament’s Article 17 dialogue seminar.
    On 13 December, FRA will speak at a webinar on ‘Child-friendly justice: Do words matter’.
    On 8 December, FRA will join the European crime prevention award conference in Prague.
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    As the European Year of Youth 2022 comes to an end, FRA will attend the year’s final stakeholders and national coordinators meeting and closing conference.