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
    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.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    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.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    25
    October
    2023
    FRA's first Being Black in the EU report exposed widespread and entrenched racism against people of African descent in Europe. Now updated with new data, this report revisits the situation revealing persistent racial discrimination, harassment and violence. Overall, experiences of racial discrimination increased in the EU countries since 2016, reaching as high as 77%. The lack of progress is alarming despite binding anti-discrimination law in the EU since 2000 and significant EU policy developments since then.
Products
In this edition of his vlog, Michael O'Flaherty talks about the human rights aspects in the context of the Corona virus epidemic.
In the latest edition of his video blog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty speaks about the publication of FRA's second LGBTI-survey on the 17th of March and how we can use the results to further battle discrimination.
20
November
2019
French and German versions now available
21 April 2020
Child rights come first. Measures to ensure child protection and participation apply to all children in the EU. This brochure guides you to relevant FRA reports and tools that can support you when promoting and protecting the rights of all children in the EU.
11
November
2019
Across the EU, people of African descent face widespread and entrenched prejudice and exclusion. Racial discrimination and harassment are commonplace. Experiences with racist violence vary, but reach as high as 14 %. Discriminatory profiling by the police is a common reality. Hurdles to inclusion are multi-faceted, particularly when it comes to looking for jobs and housing.
8
November
2019
This annual overview provides an update of the most recent figures on antisemitic incidents, covering the period 1 January 2008 – 31 December 2018, across the EU Member States, where data are available. It includes a section that presents evidence from international organisations. In addition, for the first time, it provides an overview of how Member States that have adopted or endorsed the non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) (2016) use or intend to use it.
12
September
2019
FRA’s second EU Minorities and Discrimination survey (EU-MIDIS II) collected information from over 25,000 respondents with different ethnic minority and immigrant backgrounds across all 28 EU Member States. The main findings from the survey, published in 2017, pointed to a number of differences in the way women and men with immigrant backgrounds across the European Union (EU) experience how their rights are respected. This report summarises some of the most relevant survey findings in this regard, which show the need for targeted, gender-sensitive measures that promote the integration of – specifically – women who are immigrants or descendants of immigrants.
4
July
2019
Based on FRA’s second large-scale survey on experiences and perceptions of antisemitism, this report focuses on the perspectives of young Jewish Europeans (aged 16-34) living in twelve EU Member States. It first describes this particular group and takes a look at defining antisemitism and understanding the place of Israel in it.
Fundamental Rights Report 2019: Ten years after the UN’s Disability Convention entered into force, 2018 saw it continue
to drive advances in disability rights across the EU.
Fundamental Rights Report 2019: Not all children benefit equally from efforts to guarantee child rights.
Some groups face particular difficulties.
Fundamental Rights Report 2019: Anti-Gypsyism across the EU remains a persistent barrier to improving the social and
economic situation of Roma today.
Fundamental Rights Report 2019: Ethnic minorities and migrants continue to face harassment and discrimination across the EU,
despite longstanding EU laws against racism.
Fundamental Rights Report 2019: Efforts to advance equality moved ahead in some areas but remain stalled in others.
18
June
2019
This technical report presents in detail all the stages
of the survey and the relevant information needed to
assess the quality and reliability of the data, as well
as considerations for interpreting the survey results.
The following chapters of the report cover the procedures
used in the development and administration
of the survey.
13
June
2019
New language versions: FI, MT, PT, CS, LV, LT, SK, SL, SV, ET
03 November 2020
Children deprived of parental care found in another EU Member State other than their own aims to strengthen the response of all relevant actors for child protection. The protection of those girls and boys is paramount and an obligation for EU Member States, derived from the international and European legal framework. The guide includes a focus on child victims of trafficking and children at risk, implementing an action set forth in the 2017 Communication stepping up EU action against trafficking in human beings, and takes into account identified patterns, including with respect to the gender specificity of the crime.
11
June
2019
Algorithms used in machine learning systems and artificial intelligence (AI) can only be as good as the data used for their development. High quality data are essential for high quality algorithms. Yet, the call for high quality data in discussions around AI often remains without any further specifications and guidance as to what this actually means.
6
June
2019
The year 2018 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2019 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 the latest edition of his video blog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty talks about discrimination on the basis of age in the EU and calls for more respect for Human- and Fundamental Rights of older people.
5
April
2019
Despite efforts by the European Union (EU) and its Member States to reduce gender inequalities among citizens of Roma origin, important gender differences persist. Drawing on FRA’s own EU-MIDIS II survey research in nine EU Member States this report highlights the position of Roma women in education, employment and health, as well as the extent to which they experience hate-motivated discrimination, harassment and physical violence.
In the light of the events in New Zealand, Michael O'Flaherty talks about discrimination and hate crime against Muslims in the EU and makes 4 proposals on how to make Muslims feel more safe.
The Compendium of Practices on Equality Data is the product of the Subgroup on Equality Data, which was set up in February 2018 by the EU High Level Group on Non-Discrimination, Diversity and Equality and is facilitated by FRA. The Subgroup on Equality Data brings together representatives of EU Member States and Norway, the European Commission, Eurostat and FRA with the aim to support Member States in their efforts to improve the collection and use of equality data.
A major survey measuring hate crime and discrimination against Jews across Europe opened on 25 January, led by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
FRA published 26 new promising practices on racial or ethnic equality data collection.
FRA took part in the first meeting of the advisory board of the EU’s Child Participation Platform on 12 December.
On 8 December, FRA presented key findings of its report on Guardianship for unaccompanied children at a roundtable in the European Parliament.
On 7-8 December, FRA attended the high-level group on non-discrimination, equality and diversity.
FRA joined the meeting of the antisemitism working group initiated by the EU coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.
On 1 December, FRA contributed to a technical meeting on surveys and equality data.
On 30 November, FRA presented disability statistics from its Fundamental Rights Survey to the European Parliament Petition Committee’s annual seminar on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
On 1 December, the Agency held a workshop on monitoring EU funds under the new Common Provisions Regulation.
On 1 December, FRA presented the results of the Roma survey 2021 to the members of the Czech government council for Roma minority affairs.
On 25 November, the European Commission’s child rights coordinator hosted an Interservice Group meeting to discuss the implementation of the EU Strategy on Child Rights (2021-2024).
FRA took part in the online AGE Annual Conference 2022 on 18 November.
On 17 November, FRA joined the first European Employment and Social Rights Forum.
On 16 November, FRA joined the conference of German commissioners against antisemitism and for the promotion of Jewish life.
FRA participated at the first Civil Society Forum on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.
FRA presented the results of its Roma survey 2021 to participants of the European Platform for Roma Inclusion. This is a regular event since 2009.
FRA presented the main findings of its latest Roma survey at a hearing of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
Disinformation and hate against Jews flourished on the internet throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Yet, recording of antisemitic incidents remains poor across Europe. Each country collects data differently and some do not collect data at all. This hampers efforts to effectively tackle antisemitism, shows the latest annual overview of antisemitic incidents from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
Roma across Europe continue to experience widespread deprivation. Six years on since the last survey from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Roma families still live in shocking conditions, and their educational and job prospects are poor. This new FRA report identifies improvements and gaps in Roma inclusion to guide national efforts for Roma equality, inclusion and participation.
FRA presented the Swedish results of the Roma and Travellers survey in Stockholm on 14 October.
FRA will speak on a panel during the final conference of the Enhancing Stakeholder Awareness and Resources for Hate Crime Victim Support (EStAR) project.
FRA will take part in the European Anti-Racism Summit on 21 March.
On 10 March, FRA, in cooperation with the National Roma Contact Points will present preliminary results from its FRA’s Roma survey 2020.
On 7 March, FRA’s Director will take part in a virtual round table discussion on mobilising law enforcement services against domestic violence.
FRA’s Director will take part in a French EU Presidency conference on improving accessibility and access to rights, implementing the 2021-2030 EU Strategy.
On 25 February, FRA will speak at the Zero Project International Conference 2022.
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On 23-24 February, FRA will contribute at the Council of Europe seminar on “The role of Equality Bodies and National Human Rights Institutions in advancing Roma women’s access to justice”.
FRA will take part in the third meeting of the European Commission’s Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training.
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FRA will take part in a WHO expert meeting on psychological intimate partner violence.
On 1 February, European experts from the European Commission, academia and civil society organisations meet to discuss ways of improving criminal proceedings for children who are in conflict with the law.
The French Presidency of the EU invited FRA to the informal meeting of Justice Ministers in Lillle.
On 20 January, FRA will take part in the second meeting of the Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training.
FRA will join virtually the plenary meeting of the Spanish Council for the Elimination of Racial or Ethnic Discrimination on 17 December.
FRA’s Director will address the General Affairs Council on 14 December. He will present the overview of antisemitic incidents recorded in the European Union 2010-2020.
FRA will join virtually the plenary meeting of the Spanish Council for the Elimination of Racial or Ethnic Discrimination on 17 December. There will be a debate introducing a question on ethnic origin in statistics, surveys and studies.
FRA’s Director will address the General Affairs Council on 14 December. He will present the overview of antisemitic incidents recorded in the European Union 2010-2020.
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This year, FRA renews its cooperation with this human world 2021, an international human rights film festival.
On 29 November, FRA will take part in the first meeting of the European Commission’s Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training.
FRA will speak about the impact of the pandemic on people with disabilities on 25 November.
FRA will take part in an international conference under the Slovenian EU Presidency on empowering people with disabilities to fully participate in society by increasing their mobility and accessibility.