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
Report / Paper / Summary
Children, youth and older people
Asylum, migration and borders
Child protection
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
20
November
2017

Mapping minimum age requirements concerning the rights of the child in the EU

International treaties, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, European Union (EU) secondary law and national legislation provide a number of rights to citizens. The maps and tables presented show the various patterns concerning age requirements for children to acquire rights in the EU. They also identify inconsistencies, protection gaps and restrictions deriving from different age thresholds. The reference period was until April 2016. Any legislative developments since then have been included whenever relevant or if known.
Report / Paper / Summary
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
9
November
2017

Antisemitism - Overview of data available in the European Union 2006–2016

This 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
Religion and belief
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Hate crime
21
September
2017

Second European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey Muslims – Selected findings

Muslims living in the EU face discrimination in a broad range of settings – and particularly when looking for work, on the job, and when trying to access public or private services. The report examines how characteristics – such as an individual's first and last name, skin colour and the wearing of visible religious symbols like a headscarf, for example – may trigger discriminatory treatment and harassment.
Video
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people

Is Europe doing enough to protect fundamental rights? - the children's perspective - Event summary

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.
Report / Paper / Summary
Irregular migration, return and immigration detention
Asylum, migration and borders
Child protection
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
22
June
2017

European legal and policy framework on immigration detention of children

Up to one third of migrants arriving in the European Union since the summer of 2015 have been children. The current emphasis on speedier asylum processing and making returns more effective may trigger increased use of immigration detention, possibly also affecting children. The detention of children implicates various fundamental rights and will only be in line with EU law if limited to exceptional cases. This report aims to support practitioners in implementing relevant polices in line with applicable law by outlining available safeguards against unlawful and arbitrary detention and highlighting promising practices.
Report / Paper / Summary
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
19
May
2017

Current migration situation in the EU: Education

This report assesses asylum seekers’ and refugees’ opportunities to access early
childhood education and primary, secondary and tertiary education and training.
It identifies measures available for their support, as well as possible areas for
improvement.
Report / Paper / Summary
Access to asylum
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
24
March
2017

Current migration situation in the EU: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex asylum seekers

This report reviews how asylum claims based on sexual
orientation and gender identity are assessed and analyses the existence of
specific reception measures for LGBTI persons.
Video
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Legal migration and integration

Together in the EU

Miltos Pavlou, Senior Programme Manager at the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, talks about the participation of migrants and their descendants in the EU.
Report / Paper / Summary
Victims’ rights
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
22
February
2017

Child-friendly justice - Perspectives and experiences of children involved in judicial proceedings as victims, witnesses or parties in nine EU Member States

Around 2.5 million children participate in judicial proceedings across the European Union (EU) every year, affected by parental divorce or as victims of, or witnesses to, crime. Although their effective participation in such proceedings is vital for improving the operation of justice, the treatment of children in justice systems remains a concern. FRA investigated to what extent children’s rights to be heard, to be informed, to be protected, and to non-discrimination are fulfilled in practice.
Video
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

FRA exchanges views with MEPs on the Agency priorities for 2017

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.
Report / Paper / Summary
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
20
December
2016

Current migration situation in the EU: separated children

This focus section outlines the specific protection needs of separated children, and highlights current responses and promising practices among EU Member States.
Report / Paper / Summary
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Hate crime
13
December
2016

Antisemitism - Overview of data available in the European Union 2005-2015

Antisemitism can be expressed in the form of verbal and physical attacks, threats,
harassment, property damage and graffiti or other forms of text, including on the
internet. The present report relates to manifestations of antisemitism as they are
recorded by international organisations, and by official and unofficial sources in the
28 EU Member States.
Opinion
Child protection
Asylum, migration and borders
Access to asylum
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
8
December
2016

FRA Opinion on the impact on children of the proposal for a revised Dublin Regulation

This opinion analyses the effects on children of the proposed recast Dublin Regulation. It covers child-specific rules as well as provisions relating to all asylum applicants that significantly affect children.
Report / Paper / Summary
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
29
November
2016

Second European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey Roma – Selected findings

Some 80% of Roma surveyed live below their country’s at-risk-of-poverty threshold; every third Roma lives in housing without tap water; every third Roma child lives in a household where someone went to bed hungry at least once in the previous month; and 50% of Roma between the ages of six and 24 do not attend school. This EU-MIDIS II report underscores an unsettling but unavoidable reality: the European Union’s largest ethnic minority continues to face intolerable discrimination and unequal access to vital services.
Video
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Video message by Michael O'Flaherty on Holocaust Education

This video message was produced for a holocaust education training for public officials.
Report / Paper / Summary
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Hate crime
Racial and ethnic origin
Religion and belief
17
November
2016

Incitement in media content and political discourse in Member States of the European Union

Media content and political discourse in EU Member States, whether online or
offline, show incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence on different
grounds, as evidence collected by FRA reveals. The growing reliance on the internet as the main source of
information for many enables the fast spread of often unverified statements
that could also incite to hatred.
Page
People with disabilities
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

EU Framework for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the first binding international human rights instrument to specifically address disability. Its aim is to "promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity".
Fundamental Rights Report
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Asylum, migration and borders
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Hate crime
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
People with disabilities
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
Roma
30
May
2016

Fundamental Rights Report 2016

The European Union (EU) and its Member States introduced and pursued numerous initiatives to safeguard and strengthen
fundamental rights in 2015. Some of these efforts produced important progress; others fell short of their aims. Meanwhile,
various global developments brought new – and exacerbated existing – challenges.
Fundamental Rights Report
Asylum, migration and borders
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
Hate crime
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
People with disabilities
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
Roma
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
30
May
2016

Fundamental Rights Report 2016 - FRA opinions

The European Union (EU) and its Member States introduced and pursued
numerous initiatives to safeguard and strengthen fundamental rights in 2015.
FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2016 summarises and analyses major
developments in the fundamental rights field, noting both progress made
and persisting obstacles. 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.
Opinion
People with disabilities
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Inter-governmental human rights systems
National human rights systems and bodies
20
May
2016

FRA Opinion concerning requirements under Article 33 (2) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities within the EU context

This opinion addresses the designation and operation of a framework established under Article 33 (2) of the CRPD at EU level (EU Framework). It aims to clarify the requirements of an EU Framework in light of the monitoring practice and jurisprudence of the CRPD Committee and – with regard to the concept of independence –the Committee interpreting the Paris Principles on the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Socioeconomics and sustainable development – The role of EU agencies

A new report looks at how EU agencies address the socioeconomic effects of sustainable development.
Get the ANSA report
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

European non-discrimination legal handbook now also in Swedish

The Handbook on European non-discrimination law – 2018 edition is now also available in Swedish.
Download the Handbook on European non-discrimination Law
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people
People with disabilities
Roma

Advancing human rights makes for a better society

The Coronavirus pandemic exposed sharp socio-economic inequalities across Europe. Roma children, migrants, people with disabilities, just some of the already marginalised groups that further bore the brunt of the impact of the pandemic. Human Rights Day is a chance to remind ourselves of how reducing inequalities can build more equal societies and a better world. Advancing rights can offer hope and opportunity to millions through equal access to such primary services like education, jobs and healthcare.
Watch the Director's vlog
News Item
People with disabilities
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Human Rights Forum on the rights of the people with disabilities

On 25 November, FRA spoke about the impact of the pandemic on people with disabilities. It drew from its Fundamental Rights Report 2021.
Download Fundamental Rights Report 2021
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

EU rights and equality agency heads: EU countries must work together to eradicate violence against women

As EU countries grapple with a new wave of Covid-19, police, media and NGOs continue to report on increasing rates of violence against women and girls. This ‘shadow pandemic’ has a devastating effect on the rights of women and girls across Europe. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) call on the EU and all Member States to redouble their efforts to protect women's rights and mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with concrete action.
News Item
Children, youth and older people
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Conference looks at human rights for all ages

FRA took part in an international conference under the Slovenian EU Presidency on ‘Human Rights for All Ages: Promoting a Life Course Perspective and Intergenerational Cooperation to Combat Ageism’.
Visit event website
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people

Conference looks at human rights for all ages

FRA took part in an international conference under the Slovenian EU Presidency on ‘Human Rights for All Ages: Promoting a Life Course Perspective and Intergenerational Cooperation to Combat Ageism’.
Visit event site
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

New languages versions of non-discrimination handbook now out

New languages of the handbook on European non-discrimination law are now available. It is now also in Lithuanian, Portuguese and Slovak.
Download Handbook on European non-discrimination law
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
People with disabilities

FRA speaks at European Parliament workshop on disability rights

FRA presented its disability work during the European Parliament’s annual workshop on the rights of people with disabilities.
Jewish star on building
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin
Religion and belief

Antisemitism: data gaps continue to hide the true picture

Incidents of hatred against Jews have been evident throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Even though in some countries the number of antisemitic incidents decreased, the main problem remains the same across Europe – most incidents still go unreported. Each country collects data differently and some do not collect any data at all. This continues to hamper efforts to effectively tackle antisemitism in Europe, shows the latest annual overview of antisemitic incidents from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
Download the overview
News Item
Children, youth and older people
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Towards meaningful child participation in decision making in Europe

On 21 October, FRA took part in the first high-level conference of a joint EU and Council of Europe project to strengthen child participation in Europe.
Word hate written with keyboard buttons
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Hate crime

Countering hate crime – practical examples from across the EU

Hate crime is a persistent problem across the world. Millions experience violence because of racism and intolerance. Across the EU, many good practices are in place, tackling hate crime daily. An updated compendium of good practice, hosted by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), pools resources of what exists for others to draw on in their own work.
Access the compendium
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Children, youth and older people

Against ageism and towards active social citizenship for older people

The Council of Europe, FRA, ENNHRI, Equinet collaborative platform on social and economic rights met on 27 September.
Visit the collaborative platform
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
People with disabilities

FRA joins ENIL’s Freedom Surf

FRA took part in a virtual webinar as part of the European Network on Independent Living’s ‘Freedom Surf’.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
People with disabilities

EESC holds hearing on deinstitutionalisation

On 16 September, FRA took part in a virtual hearing organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on deinstitutionalisation.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

Conference tackles violence towards LGBTIQ+ youth

FRA presented findings from its LGBTI survey during a virtual international conference on 9 September.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin
Roma

Exchanging views on racial discrimination in access to housing

FRA contributed to a discussion group on racial discrimination in access to and tenure of housing in Spain.
News Item
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

FRA takes part in intersex people in the EU study meeting

On 8 September, FRA took part in the kick-off meeting of the study on ‘Intersex people in the EU, a project of the European Commission’s Justice and Consumers Directorate-General.
Participants holding a discussion at the 2018 Fundamental Rights Forum
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Asylum, migration and borders
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation

Fundamental Rights Forum programme online and registrations open!

The registrations for the Fundamental Rights Forum 2021 are now open.
Register now!
SOS pillbox
Press Release
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Hate crime

Report hate crime, support victims

Significant barriers to reporting hate crime across the EU hinder victims’ access to protection and justice, finds a new report of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Many victims do not report attacks, as it is too difficult or they do not trust the police. FRA calls on EU countries to encourage hate crime reporting, improve its recording and ensure victims can get support, protection and justice.
Download report on hate crime reporting
View infographic
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Racial and ethnic origin
Religion and belief
-

OSCE conference explores combating antisemitism

FRA will speak at an expert meeting on combating antisemitism. The 2021 Swedish OSCE chairpersonship in consultation with the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) organises the event.
Event
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Support for human rights systems and defenders
-

Exploring evidence-based policies at the local level

FRA will contribute to the first edition of the online ‘Human rights go local: what works’ event Winter Academy. It will bring expertise from its work on Roma indicators, equality data and cooperation with human rights cities. The event will look at how to base policy-making at the local level on scientific evidence through tailored human rights research. It aims at building bridges between all governance levels, disciplines and regions. It allows knowledge sharing among human rights researchers, local authorities, representatives of International, European and EU organisations, and policy-makers across regions.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Support for human rights systems and defenders

FRA experts meet UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights

On 28 January, FRA will meet Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. It forms part of his visit to the EU Institutions. It will focus on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It will also look at whether the funds will be used in line with human rights and address vulnerable groups. The Special Rapporteur will examine the impact of EU policies on the eradication of poverty in the region. He will present the report to the Human Rights Council session in June 2021.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
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

Presenting FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2020 to the European Parliament

The FRA Director will present key findings from the Fundamental Rights Report 2020 to the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
Download Fundamental Rights Report 2020
Event
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

EU hate crime reporting working group to meet

On 18 January, FRA will host the second meeting of working group on hate crime recording, data collection and encouraging reporting.
Access project details
Explore compendium of practices
Event
Hate crime
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Strengthening diversity in Portuguese policing

FRA will draw on its hate crime work and victimisation data from its survey during a roundtable discussion on strengthening diversity in Portugal’s police. The roundtable takes place on 18 January.
Event
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

European and local initiatives to tackle LGBTI Discrimination

The Rumourless Cities will host a workshop on European and local perspectives and actions against LGBTI discrimination. FRA will present the results of the EU LGBTI survey II during the workshop. The online workshop takes place on 25 January.
Download LGBTI survey results
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
People with disabilities

Agency to join independent living event

FRA will take part in the presentation of results from the European Network on Independent Living’s (ENIL) first Independent Living Survey on 10 December.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Roma

Exploring results from FRA’s survey of Traveller discrimination in Ireland

Results from FRA’s survey of Traveller discrimination in Ireland will feature during a webinar on 7 December.
Download the report
Event
Legal migration and integration
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

European Commission Working Group on promoting common values and inclusive education

On 18 November, FRA will take part in the online meeting of the European Commission Working Group on Common Values and Inclusive Education.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

EU-Israel high-level seminar seeks to combat racism, xenophobia and antisemitism

FRA will take part in the annual EU-Israel high-level seminar on combating racism, xenophobia and antisemitism.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

Rumourless Cities workshop covers LGBTI discrimination

On 10 November, FRA will present the results of its EU LGBTI survey during the online workshop ‘LGBTI Discrimination: European and Local Perspectives and Actions’.
Download LGBTI survey report
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

Vienna Diplomatic Academy discusses LGBTI rights in the EU

FRA will give a presentation on the results of its EU LGBTI survey, LGBTI rights in the EU and FRA’s research in this area to the Vienna Diplomatic Academy.
Event
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Artificial intelligence and big data
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Hate crime
-

FRA joins AI and hate speech Internet Governance Forum discussions

FRA will take part in this year’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which runs virtually from 2-17 November. It will join the session on the role of the private sector in developing guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

EU interior ministers look towards strengthening social cohesion across the EU

The FRA Director will take part in an informal exchange on 9 November on integration and social cohesion with EU interior ministers and members of the European Commission.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

European Citizens Initiative to promote minorities, and linguistic and cultural diversity

On 15 October, the European Parliament will hold a public hearing on a European Citizens Initiative to promote minorities, and linguistic and cultural diversity. The organisers will present their initiative.
Watch event livestream
Event
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Seminar explores FRA’s LGBTI report findings

The FRA Director, Michael O’Flaherty will deliver a video message to an online seminar discussing its ‘A long way to go for LGBTI equality’ report.
Download report on LGBTI Equality
Event
Religion and belief
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Rule of law, human rights and religious rights at G20 interfaith forum

FRA’s Director will address a panel discussion on rule of law, human rights, and religion. The discussion will take place on 16 October during the G20 interfaith forum.
Event
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Towards a new strategic EU framework for Roma equality, inclusion and participation

The FRA Director will address the launch conference of the new EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation. He will draw on FRA’s Roma surveys underlining the persistent circle of poverty and discrimination many Roma and Travellers continue to endure.
Event
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Trafficking and labour exploitation
People with disabilities
Racial and ethnic origin
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

EU equality data experts to meet

FRA will facilitate the meeting of the Subgroup on Equality Data, under the EU High Level Group on Non-Discrimination, Equality and Diversity.