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.

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Highlights

  • Report / Paper / Summary
    25
    October
    2024

    Being Muslim in the EU - Experiences of Muslims

    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.
    Read press release
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    11
    July
    2024

    Jewish People’s Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism

    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.
    Read press release
    Download country data
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    14
    May
    2024

    LGBTIQ at a crossroads: progress and challenges

    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.
    Explore survey data
    Read press release
    Download country data
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    10
    April
    2024

    Addressing Racism in Policing

    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.
    Read press release
Products
Page
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Compendium of Practices on Equality Data

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.
Report / Paper / Summary
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin
Religion and belief
Security
8
March
2019

Experiences and perceptions of antisemitism - Second survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU - Summary

This summary outlines the main findings of FRA’s second survey on Jewish people’s experiences with hate crime, discrimination and antisemitism in the European Union – the biggest survey of Jewish people ever conducted worldwide.
Video
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Roma
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Asylum, migration and borders
Hate crime

Video Blog by Michael O'Flaherty: Looking ahead to 2019

Michael O'Flaherty focuses on the challenges and projects coming up in 2019.
Page
Religion and belief
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Security

Database 2012-2020 on anti-Muslim hatred

The Database 2012-2020 on anti-Muslim hatred provides information on significant international, European and national case law and rulings, UN human rights body decisions, reports, findings by human rights and equality bodies and organisations relating to hate crime, hate speech and discrimination against Muslims, as well as relevant research, reports, studies, data and statistics on these issues. It also provides information on victims' support organisations in the EU Member States.
Access database on anti-Muslim hatred
Report / Paper / Summary
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
12
December
2018

Unmasking bias motives in crimes: selected cases of the European Court of Human Rights

This paper discusses the evolution of European Court of Human Rights case law relating
to hate crime, providing an update on the most recent rulings. Approaching hate crime
from a fundamental rights perspective, it shows how Member State authorities’ duty to
effectively investigate the bias motivation of crimes flows from key human rights
instruments, such as the European Convention on Human Rights.
Video
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Religion and belief
Security
Hate crime

Video blog by Michael O'Flaherty: antisemitism

Michael O'Flaherty focuses on the situation of the Jewish community living in the EU.
Report / Paper / Summary
Religion and belief
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Hate crime
Racial and ethnic origin
Victims’ rights
Security
10
December
2018

Experiences and perceptions of antisemitism - Second survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU

This report outlines the main findings of FRA’s second survey on Jewish people’s experiences with hate crime, discrimination and antisemitism in the European Union – the biggest survey of Jewish people ever conducted worldwide. Covering 12 EU Member States, the survey reached almost 16,500 individuals who identify as being Jewish. It follows up on the agency’s first survey, conducted in seven countries in 2012.
Watch findings video
Watch launch event
Read press release
Handbook / Guide / Manual
Unlawful profiling
Asylum, migration and borders
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Data protection
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Security
5
December
2018
Last versions available are EL and NL
11 March 2021

Preventing unlawful profiling today and in the future: a guide

This guide explains what profiling is, the legal frameworks that regulate it, and why conducting profiling lawfully is both necessary to comply with fundamental rights and crucial for effective policing and border management. The guide also provides practical guidance on how to avoid unlawful profiling in police and border management operations.
Report / Paper / Summary
People with disabilities
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
4
December
2018

From institutions to community living for persons with disabilities: perspectives from the ground

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities commits both the EU and all of its Member States to realising the right of persons with disabilities to live independently in the community – which includes achieving deinstitutionalisation for those residing in institutional settings. But much remains to be done to make this a reality in practice. This report presents the main insights gained during fieldwork on the drivers of and barriers to deinstitutionalisation. Focusing on the local level, it gives voice to a diverse set of actors – most importantly, to people with disabilities themselves.
View the infographic
Watch the video
Read the human stories
Download project factsheets
Video
Asylum, migration and borders
Legal migration and integration
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin

Being black in the EU often means racism and poor jobs

Black people in the EU face unacceptable difficulties in getting a decent job because of their skin colour. Racist harassment also remains all too common.
Video
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Being black in the EU often means poor housing conditions

Black people in the EU face unacceptable difficulties in simply finding somewhere to live because of their skin colour.
Report / Paper / Summary
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Legal migration and integration
Racial and ethnic origin
28
November
2018

Being Black in the EU

Almost twenty years after adoption of EU laws forbidding discrimination, people of African descent in the EU face widespread and entrenched prejudice and exclusion. This report outlines selected results from FRA's second large-scale EU-wide survey on migrants and minorities (EU-MIDIS II) carried out in 2016. It examines the experiences of almost 6,000 people of African descent in 12 EU Member States.
Summary available in 9 languages
Explore the data
Read the press release
Report / Paper / Summary
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
16
November
2018

Working with Roma: Participation and empowerment of local communities

This report presents the main insights gained during the EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s project on local engagement for Roma inclusion, which explores how to best involve Roma in integration efforts at the local level. Bringing together local authorities and residents, especially Roma, it investigated what aspects work, which ones do not, and why this is the case.
Periodic updates / Series
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
9
November
2018

Antisemitism - Overview of data available in the European Union 2007–2017

Antisemitism can be expressed in the form of verbal and physical attacks, threats,
harassment, discrimination and unequal treatment, property damage and graffiti or other
forms of speech or text, including on the internet. The present report provides an overview of data on antisemitism as recorded by
international organisations and by official and unofficial sources in the 28 European
Union (EU) Member States, based on their own definitions and categorisations.
Report / Paper / Summary
Asylum, migration and borders
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Support for human rights systems and defenders
26
October
2018

Fundamental Rights Forum 2018 - Chair's Statement

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights’ 2018 Fundamental Rights Forum
brought together more than 700 human rights champions at a time of
widening social divisions and increasingly polarised politics across
Europe.
Report / Paper / Summary
Children, youth and older people
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
17
October
2018

Combating child poverty: an issue of fundamental rights

Almost 25 million children under 18 are at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU. Poverty deprives children of educational
opportunities, childcare, access to health care, adequate food and housing, family support and even protection from violence.
This report outlines data and survey findings that highlight the magnitude of child poverty in the EU, but also presents tools
available to counter this phenomenon and keep track of progress made.
In brief / Factsheet
Unlawful profiling
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin
20
September
2018

In Brief - Big data, algorithms and discrimination

With enormous volumes of data generated every day, more and more decisions are based on data analysis and algorithms. This can bring welcome benefits, such as consistency and objectivity, but algorithms also entail great risks. A FRA focus paper looks at how the use of automation in decision making can result in, or exacerbate, discrimination.
Report / Paper / Summary
Borders and information systems
Irregular migration, return and immigration detention
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
12
September
2018

How the Eurosur Regulation affects fundamental rights

In November 2017, the European Commission requested FRA’s support in evaluating the impact on fundamental rights of the European Border Surveillance System (Eurosur) Regulation. Further to this request, FRA reviewed the work of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and analysed cooperation agreements concluded by EU Member States with third countries which are relevant for the exchange of information for the purposes of Eurosur. This report presents the main findings of such review.
Report / Paper / Summary
Civil justice
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin
29
August
2018

Making EU citizens’ rights a reality: national courts enforcing freedom of movement and related rights

The founding treaties, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and secondary EU law all provide for EU citizens’ freedom to move and reside freely in any EU country of their choice. Growing numbers of citizens, and their family members, are making use of this freedom and related rights, such as the right not to be discriminated against based on nationality and the right to vote in certain elections in the host Member State. But making these rights a reality remains a challenge. This report presents an EU-wide, comparative overview of the application of the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC) across the 28 Member States based on a review of select case law at national level.
Report / Paper / Summary
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
19
July
2018

Transition from education to employment of young Roma in nine EU Member States

Across the European Union, Member States are faced with the challenge of integrating Europe’s most deprived
and disenfranchised minority groups. As a follow up to the EU-MIDIS II findings on Roma, this report presents
FRA’s findings relating to the issues of education and employment. Encouraging Roma participation in education
and employment equips communities with higher incomes, better life opportunities and greater social inclusion.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Roma

Presenting FRA’s Roma survey to the European Parliament

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).
Download report
Keyboard with david star key
Press Release
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin
Religion and belief

Antisemitism online far outweighs official records

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).
Download 2011-2021 overview
Download all overviews
Roma man outside housing in Hungary
Press Release
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
Hate crime

80% of Roma live in poverty

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.
Download report
Explore survey data
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Roma

Discussing the Swedish results of FRA’s Roma and Travellers survey

FRA presented the Swedish results of the Roma and Travellers survey in Stockholm on 14 October.
Download report
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people

FRA youth data, your campaign ally

FRA has extracted youth data from its extensive body of research to guide campaigns supporting the rights of young people.
Visit campaign page
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin

Conference explores racism and racial discrimination in Luxembourg

FRA presented its Being Black in the EU report findings at the Discriminations ethno-raciales au Luxembourg: perceptions de la population conference on 17 October in Luxembourg.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

Gender Alliance for Development Center visits FRA

FRA hosted a delegation from the Gender Alliance for Development Center (GADC) on 20 October.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people

FRA exchanges views on ageing in digital societies

FRA met with representatives of the International Association of Universities of the Third Age on 11 October at the Agency.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Roma

Swedish launch of FRA’s Roma and Travellers report

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) held a national launch of FRA’s 2020 Roma and Travellers report in Stockholm on 14 October.
Get the report
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

EU Subgroup on Equality Data meets in Ireland

FRA took part in meetings of the EU Subgroup on Equality Data, facilitated by the Agency.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Fundamental rights at the European Health Forum Gastein

On 28 September, FRA took part in a panel discussion at the Health Forum Gastein on controlling a pandemic by controlling people?
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

Developments in measuring violence against women

The European Society of Criminology held its annual conference in Malaga from 21 to 24 September.
Visit event site
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Roma

EEA and Norway Grants implementation meeting in Czechia

On 20 September, FRA attended a conference on progress in implementing the EEA and Norway Grants 2014 - 2021 in Czechia.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Roma

FRA joins discussions at Spain’s Roma State Council

On 21 September, FRA gave a presentation to the Extraordinary Plenary of the Roma State Council of Spain.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people

Children’s rights experts met to move child protection and participation forward in the EU

FRA took part in the European Forum on child rights that ran from 27 to 29 September.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
People with disabilities

FRA speaks on new disability strategy at disability service providers event

The European Platform for Rehabilitation, a community of service providers working with people with disabilities, held its annual conference in Dublin on 22 and 23 September.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin

UN discussions on the right to health

FRA was a panellist at the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s general discussion on the right to health and racial discrimination.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
National human rights systems and bodies

Building a future beyond frontiers at Iberian Forum

FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was patron of the 2022 Iberian Forum, entitled ‘Brave and Vigorous: Building a Future beyond Frontiers’.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

Madrid Summit discussion on legal gender recognition

FRA was part of the International Conference of Human Rights LGTBIQA+ ‘Madrid Summit’ on 8 July.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Training equality bodies on equality research

FRA trained members of the Equinet working group on research and data on how to engage with hard-to-reach groups in the collection of equality data.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Irregular migration, return and immigration detention
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
-

Supporting the human rights film festival, this human world

This year, FRA renews its cooperation with this human world 2021, an international human rights film festival.
Visit the website
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Equality and values in education and training working group meets

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.
Event
People with disabilities
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Human Rights Forum on the rights of the people with disabilities

FRA will speak about the impact of the pandemic on people with disabilities on 25 November.
Event
People with disabilities
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Conference to explore empowering people with disabilities

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.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people

Marking German Senior Citizens’ Day

FRA will give a keynote speech on 25 November to mark the 13th German Senior Citizens’ Day 2021.
Find out about German Senior Citizens’ Day
Event
Children, youth and older people
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
-

Ensuring access to justice for all children

FRA will join the 2021 World Congress on Justice with Children.
Event
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
-

National Roma Contact Points to meet during Roma Working Party

From 18 to 19 November, the Roma Working Party will take place online. It will bring together National Roma Contact Points from EU Member States and observer countries.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
People with disabilities

Conference to explore empowering people with disabilities

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.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Public health futures in a changing world

FRA’s Director will address a high-level conference on public health futures in a changing world on 12 November.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Roma

European Parliament to discuss police violence against Roma

FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty will speak about police violence against Roma during a meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on 9 November.
Event
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Preliminary Roma survey results to be presented

On 11 November, FRA, in cooperation with National Roma Contact Points (NRCPs) will present preliminary results from FRA’s Roma survey 2020.
FRA’s Roma survey 2020
Event
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Civil society organisations discuss monitoring Roma equality

FRA invites civil society organisations, registered in its Fundamental Rights Platform, to take part in an online Roma meeting on 10 November.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
-

Equality bodies explore cooperation with cities

FRA will present its new report on ‘Human Rights Cities in the EU: a framework for reinforcing rights locally’ at a conference on building equal cities.
Download report on human rights cities
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
National human rights systems and bodies

Swedish conference explores the pandemic’s impact on equality and human rights

FRA will join an event in Sweden that will look at the impact of the pandemic on equality and human rights, and ways forward.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Hate crime

Stamping out hate crime and hate speech

On 28 October, the FRA Director will participate in a virtual Slovenian Presidency conference on 'Stamping out hate crime and hate speech – Effective responses to hate crimes and hate speech online, and protection of victims'.
Visit event site
Event
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Event explores evidence-based actions against racism and hate crime

FRA will present key findings from its report on encouraging hate crime reporting during an online hate crime conference.
Go to the hate crime report
Event
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Webinar addresses hate crime against Roma and Travellers

FRA will present results from its Roma and Traveller Survey and its hate crime work to a webinar organised by CEPOL, the EU’s law enforcement training agency.
Download the Roma and Travellers Survey report
Event
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Joining forces to promote and protect the rights of LGBTI people

FRA will present its LGBTI survey results during ECRI’s annual seminar.
Read report on LGBTI equality
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and combating antisemitism

The FRA Director will take part in the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism.
Learn more on Malmö International Forum
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

FRA Director joins the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter

FRA’s Director will virtually join celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the European Social Charter.