Justice

Judicial cooperation and rule of law

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Highlights

Products
In brief / Factsheet
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Defendants’ rights
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
18
June
2024

European Arrest Warrant and Fundamental Rights ECtHR and CJEU Case-Law - Joint Factsheet

This factsheet focuses on the European arrest warrant and EU Member States obligations to respect fundamental rights. EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights sometimes overlap. The publication clarifies where there are similar principles in different legislation and provides examples of case law. In collaboration, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and the European Court of Human Rights produced this short publication. It is designed to aid lawyers and policymakers in understanding and applying the jurisprudence in this area.
Report / Paper / Summary
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Defendants’ rights
26
March
2024

European Arrest Warrant proceedings - Room for improvement to guarantee rights in practice

The European Arrest Warrant (EAW) allows Member States to implement judicial decisions issued in another Member State. It applies to decisions such as arrests for the purpose of criminal prosecutions or the execution of custodial sentences. After being in force for over 20 years, FRA’s findings provide evidence for an assessment of the legislation in practice. This report looks at the fundamental rights challenges that people face who are requested through an EAW. It provides a unique insight into their experiences and those of the professionals involved. FRA’s findings indicate that shared challenges exist across EU Member States. They must increase efforts to ensure that people are able to take part in criminal proceedings and receive a fair trial.
Read press release
Video
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
National human rights systems and bodies
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Video blog Michael O'Flaherty: July bulletin on COVID-19

Michael O'Flaherty introduces the July edition of FRA's bulletin on the impact for fundamental rights of Covid-19. In this vlog he talks about the important role that people play who are engaged with the promotion and the protection of human rights in these times.
The July edition of the COVID-19 bulletin will be available from 30 July.
Download COVID-19 bulletins
Access all FRA work on COVID-19
Video
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Civil justice

Handbook on Access to Justice

This handbook provides an overview of key aspects of access to justice in Europe.
Infographic
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Sex, sexual orientation and gender
Victims’ rights
Judicial cooperation and rule of law

Despite positive developments, hurdles to justice remain

Fundamental Rights Report 2019: In some Member States access to justice faces challenges. Judicial independence continues to cause
concerns. Victims’ procedural rights need more effective implementation. Gaps in preventing
violence against women and domestic violence remain.
Report / Paper / Summary
Children, youth and older people
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
25
April
2018

Children’s rights and justice – Minimum age requirements in the EU

This report outlines Member States’ approaches to age requirements and limits
regarding child participation in judicial proceedings; procedural safeguards for, and rights of, children involved in criminal
proceedings; as well as issues related to depriving children of their liberty.
Report / Paper / Summary
Children, youth and older people
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
25
April
2018

Mapping minimum age requirements: Children's rights and justice

The right to access justice and all other relevant procedural rights are not just rights in themselves; they also protect against violations of every other right. Respect for children’s rights in the area of justice is therefore essential. International treaties, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, European Union (EU) secondary law, and national legislation provide a number of relevant rights.
Download reports on minimum age requirements
Report / Paper / Summary
Borders and information systems
Asylum, migration and borders
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Borders and information systems
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Security
7
July
2017

Fundamental rights and the interoperability of EU information systems: borders and security

Various proposals on EU-level information systems in the areas of borders and security mention interoperability, aiming to provide fast and easy access to information about third-country nationals.
Handbook / Guide / Manual
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Defendants’ rights
Civil justice
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
22
June
2016

Handbook on European law relating to access to justice

Access to justice is an important element of the rule of law. It enables individuals to protect themselves against infringements of their rights, to remedy civil wrongs, to hold executive power accountable and to defend themselves in criminal proceedings. This handbook summarises the key European legal principles in the area of access to justice, focusing on civil and criminal law.
Opinion
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
15
April
2016

FRA Opinion on the development of an integrated tool of objective fundamental rights indicators able to measure compliance with the shared values listed in Article 2 TEU based on existing sources of information

This opinion underlines the importance of drawing on existing data and information in any assessment of the values in Article 2 TEU, and outlines how this could be done.
Opinion
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Asylum, migration and borders
Borders and information systems
Legal migration and integration
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Borders and information systems
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Defendants’ rights
Security
21
December
2015

FRA Opinion on the exchange of information on third-country nationals under a possible system to complement the European Criminal Records Information System

The proposal to establish a possible legislative instrument supplementing the existing European Criminal Records Information System with information on third-country nationals convicted in the EU raises a number of fundamental rights issues.
Opinion
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
10
February
2014

FRA Opinion on a proposal to establish a European Public Prosecutor’s Office

The proposal to establish a European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), mandated to prosecute crimes against the financial interests of the European Union, raises a number of fundamental rights issues.
Opinion
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
10
December
2012

FRA opinion on the confiscation of proceeds of crime

In relation to the European Commission proposal for a Directive on the freezing and confiscation of proceeds of crime in the European Union, the European Parliament requested advice from FRA on the extent to which confiscation of proceeds of crime could go without breaching fundamental rights.
Opinion
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Security
23
February
2011

FRA opinion on the draft directive regarding the European Investigation Order (EIO)

On 14 February 2011, as requested by the European Parliament, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) issued an opinion on the draft directive regarding the European Investigation Order (EIO) in criminal matters. The draft directive, aimed at mutual recognition of warrants for both existing and new evidence, is intended to replace an existing ‘fragmented regime' with a more comprehensive legislative instrument.
Report / Paper / Summary
Access to asylum
Asylum, migration and borders
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
13
September
2010

The duty to inform applicants about asylum procedures: The asylum-seeker perspective

A fair asylum procedure is one where applicants know their rights and duties, and where they understand its different stages. The right to be informed at decisive moments of the procedure is an important element of procedural fairness. Drawing on evidence from interviews with almost 900 asylum seekers, this report examines the information that asylum seekers have on the asylum procedure. In particular, it looks at the main source of information for asylum seekers, which type of information they receive, and when and how they receive it.
Report / Paper / Summary
Access to asylum
Asylum, migration and borders
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
13
September
2010

Access to effective remedies: The asylum-seeker perspective

Drawing on evidence from interviews with almost 900 asylum seekers, this report presents asylum-seeker experiences in submitting an appeal against a negative asylum decision. While documenting good practices, it also highlights several obstacles which make it difficult for asylum applicants to access effective remedies.
Opinion
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Asylum, migration and borders
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
3
November
2009

FRA comments on the Presidency Draft Stockholm Programme

On 16 October the Swedish Presidency presented a "draft of the Stockholm Programme" that is to be adopted at the EU summit in December 2009. Following this publication, the Fundamental Rights Agency has presented the following opinion paper "FRA Comments on the Presidency Draft Stockholm Programme" available for download below.