Justice

Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation

Your access to justice is a fundamental right. It is central to making your other rights a reality.

It protects rights of the individual. It puts right civil wrongs. It holds power to account. We shine a light on obstacles to access to justice. And we give evidence-based advice on overcoming them.

Highlights

  • Report / Paper / Summary
    7
    March
    2024
    Tackling greenwashing is an issue where human rights, consumer rights and climate goals align. Companies use greenwashing to convince people to buy products that are not always as environmentally friendly as they claim to be. They mislead consumers and harm the environment. This report shows how a human rights approach can combat greenwashing. It is based on consultations with experts in 10 Member States. The report identifies gaps in existing laws and enforcement. It includes case studies of consumers seeking remedies for misleading environmental claims. The EU and Member States should enforce rules that make it harder for companies to make misleading environmental claims. They should strengthen rules that make it easier for consumers to prove that companies are greenwashing. Consumer and environmental organisations already hold governments and business to account. Governments should make it easier to use collective action for the protection of consumer rights and the environment.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    26
    March
    2024
    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.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    21
    June
    2022
    Every child has a right to be protected even when they are accused or suspected of committing a crime. The basic principles of justice apply to adults and children alike. But children face specific obstacles during criminal proceedings, such as a lack of understandable information about their rights, limited legal support and poor treatment. The report looks at the practical implementation of Directive (EU) 2016/800 on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings in nine Member States – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Malta, Poland and Portugal.
  • Handbook / Guide / Manual
    22
    June
    2016
    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.
    Products
    28
    November
    2024
    This paper outlines key challenges and solutions when it comes to promoting and protecting victims’ rights across the EU. It draws on FRA research over the past decade. It focuses on reporting crime, protection from secondary victimisation, victim support services. The paper highlights challenges and solutions in each of these areas, drawing directly from FRA’s published work. The challenges are based on the Agency’s data gathered from large-scale quantitative surveys of victims and in-depth qualitative research, including testimonies from victims and practitioners. The solutions draw from effective practices in various EU countries that address the practical needs of victims and improve their access to rights.
    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.
    30
    October
    2024
    This factsheet examines the "right to be forgotten" within the context of EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights. It emphasizes the intersections of these legal frameworks, with particular attention to case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
    1
    August
    2024
    Migrant workers are particularly at risk of labour exploitation. Workplace inspectors play a role in protecting non-EU workers' rights. This report guides inspectors to identify abuse and protect migrant workers. In autumn 2024, FRA will publish a manual with extensive resources to support workplace inspectors.
    18
    June
    2024
    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.
    5
    June
    2024
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2024 analyses the year’s developments in fundamental rights. It focuses on the most pressing fundamental rights concerns facing Europe in 2023: the cost-of-living crisis, rights concerns at the EU’s external borders and migration, and threats to democracy. Re-structured, this year’s new approach is a shorter and sharper analysis. It also presents FRA’s opinions on these developments, including a summary of the evidence supporting these opinions.
    5
    June
    2024
    The year 2023 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2023 reviews 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 so doing, it provides a compact but informative overview of the main fundamental rights challenges confronting the EU and its Member States.
    26
    March
    2024
    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.
    7
    March
    2024
    Tackling greenwashing is an issue where human rights, consumer rights and climate goals align. Companies use greenwashing to convince people to buy products that are not always as environmentally friendly as they claim to be. They mislead consumers and harm the environment. This report shows how a human rights approach can combat greenwashing. It is based on consultations with experts in 10 Member States. The report identifies gaps in existing laws and enforcement. It includes case studies of consumers seeking remedies for misleading environmental claims. The EU and Member States should enforce rules that make it harder for companies to make misleading environmental claims. They should strengthen rules that make it easier for consumers to prove that companies are greenwashing. Consumer and environmental organisations already hold governments and business to account. Governments should make it easier to use collective action for the protection of consumer rights and the environment.
    20
    October
    2023
    FRA’s strategic priorities and objectives are based on the agency’s role and mission as defined in its amended founding regulation. They build on FRA’s 2018–2022 strategy as well as how it performed, its experience and its vision. Their design takes into account future fundamental rights challenges facing Europe, the agency’s mandate, the broader operational context and the resources available.
    8
    June
    2023
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2023 reviews major developments in the field in 2022, 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.
    8
    June
    2023
    The year 2022 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2023 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.
    22
    February
    2023
    Directive 2012/29/EU represents a milestone in the development of victims’ rights. It establishes minimum standards for the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. It defines the scope of support services, guarantees the right to effective protection against secondary victimisation and comprehensively regulates the measures required for this purpose. This report covers three core components underpinning victims’ rights: support services, crime reporting, and protection from secondary and repeat victimisation. Examples highlight the relevant legal provisions in Member States and how specific rights under the Victims’ Rights Directive work in practice.
    28
    September
    2022
    Acts of terrorism represent a serious threat to the lives and safety of people, and a profound security challenge for states. At the same time, counter-terrorism legislation, policies and other measures can entail, directly or indirectly, serious limitations to fundamental rights, and can adversely affect individuals, groups and society as a whole. This summary presents FRA’s main findings from its report on Directive (EU) 2017/541 on combating terrorism, the main criminal law instrument at EU level in the field of counter-terrorism.
    21
    June
    2022
    Every child has a right to be protected even when they are accused or suspected of committing a crime. The basic principles of justice apply to adults and children alike. But children face specific obstacles during criminal proceedings, such as a lack of understandable information about their rights, limited legal support and poor treatment. The report looks at the practical implementation of Directive (EU) 2016/800 on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings in nine Member States – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Malta, Poland and Portugal.
    8
    June
    2022
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2022 reviews major developments in the field in 2021, 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.
    8
    June
    2022
    This focus looks at the impact of the pandemic on social rights. It examines the measures in national recovery and resilience plans that address the social vulnerabilities among a variety of population groups in the EU, including women, children and young people in situations of vulnerability, people with disabilities, older people, Roma and people in precarious working conditions.
    8
    June
    2022
    All language versions now available
    14 September 2022
    The year 2021 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2022 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.
    7
    April
    2022
    German version now available
    19 January 2024
    Children are full-fledged holders of rights. They are beneficiaries of all human and fundamental rights and subjects of special regulations, given their specific characteristics. This handbook aims to illustrate how European law and case law accommodate the specific interests and needs of children. It also considers the importance of parents and guardians or other legal representatives and makes reference, where appropriate, to situations in which rights and responsibilities are most prominently vested in children’s carers. It is a point of reference on both European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE) law related to these subjects, explaining how each issue is regulated under EU law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as well as under the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Social Charter and other CoE instruments.
    18
    November
    2021
    This report examines the EU’s main criminal law instrument in the field of counter-terrorism, Directive (EU) 2017/541. Specifically, it considers how the directive engages issues of fundamental rights, affecting individuals, groups and society as a whole.
    Crime can touch any of us – as witnesses or as victims. But no matter who you are, we all have rights when it comes to justice. These three short clips show some aspects of working together for justice, rights of victims of crime and rights of witnesses of crime.
    We don’t all experience crime in the same way, and we might deal with it differently. But it’s vital – as victims or witnesses – that our rights are guaranteed, because access to justice is our fundamental right. Watch FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty speaking on the Fundamental Rights Survey report on crime, safety and victims’ rights.
    Crime can touch any of us – as witnesses or as victims. But no matter who you are, we all have rights when it comes to justice. It is for this reason that the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights asked 35,000 people across Europe about their experiences of crime in its Fundamental Rights Survey, and the results are in.
    This video was produced for the launch of the Fundamental Rights Survey in June 2020 and gives an overview of the main results.
    What are the next steps in the digitalisation of justice and of access to justice? This impulse video statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was recorded for the online conference “Access to Justice in the Digital Age”. The conference takes place on 16 July and is organised by the German Federal Ministry for Justice and Consumer Protection during the German Council Presidency.
    Check out the EU's modern human rights catalogue and its chapter about Justice.
    In the latest edition of his video blog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty speaks about the human rights challenges, but also the opportunities, that come along with the development of artificial intelligence technology.
    This handbook provides an overview of key aspects of access to justice in Europe.
    Opening Video for FRA event - From wrongs to rights: ending severe labour exploitation.
    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.
    The Agency’s Director, Michael O’Flaherty, took part in a meeting of the European Parliament Employment Committee on 8 November.
    This infographic looks at ways to improve the implementation of various EU criminal justice laws on the right to information, interpretation and translation that apply to Member States to guarantee common EU-wide minimum standards for rights protection.
    This infographic looks at improving the implementation of the various EU criminal justice laws that apply to cross-border transfers, pre- and post- trial.
    The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Court of Human Rights launched a practical handbook on European law relating to access to justice at the Fundamental Rights Forum on 22 June 2016.
    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.
    On 22 November, FRA participated in the Plenary event of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe in Brussels.
    On 26 September, FRA took part in the Roundtable and Steering Committee meeting of the joint child-friendly justice project. This is an initiative that started through partnership meetings between the Council of Europe, the European Commission and FRA to move towards more child-friendly justice systems.
    Each year, millions of people across the EU fall victims of crime but effective support and protection of their rights are often lacking. A new paper from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) examines the shortcomings of existing rights protection and offers possible ways forward.
    FRA contributed to an EU law training event for Hungarian administrative law judges. The FRA focus was on artificial intelligence (AI) and fundamental rights implications.
    The European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection held a hearing on the draft directive for harmonised transparency of interest rules carried out on behalf of non-EU countries. Professor Emilia Korkea-Aho, the author of a study contracted by the Parliaments Policy Department presented her main findings.
    On 8 and 9 July, FRA delivered training during a seminar for defence lawyers organised by the European Academy of European Law (ERA) and co-financed by the EU.
    A factsheet on the European Arrest Warrant and fundamental rights is now available. The Registry of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and FRA prepared and published the factsheet.
    On 11 and 12 June, FRA took participated in a plenary meeting of the European Judicial Network. Over 100 judges and prosecutors from the EU Member States and some non-EU countries attended the meeting.
    The Council of Europe held a National Preventative Mechanisms Forum on 4 and 5 June in Strasbourg. FRA presented its Criminal Detention Database. It also participated in discussions on the detention of vulnerable people and migrants.
    FRA presented its report on greenwashing to the Council of Europe’s Committee on Social Affairs, Health, and Sustainable Development of the Parliamentary Assembly.
    FRA gave a plenary address during the first European Legal Tech Summit. The summit took place on 23 May in Vienna.
    FRA took part in an expert meeting on procedural rights for people in detention. EuroPris and the European Commission held the meeting in Brussels on 10 April.
    FRA joined a workshop for judges and prosecutors organised by the European Judicial Network.
    Criminals seeking to flee to other countries can be brought to justice through the European Arrest Warrant. But there are practical challenges to ensuring their rights are fully respected, finds the latest EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) report. It identifies ways to ensure people are treated fairly, informed and understand proceedings, and have legal assistance.
    On 13 March, a group of experts working on children and justice met at the Agency for a mutual exchange on current priorities and upcoming activities.
    FRA took part in the annual meeting of the Working Group on Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics. FRA gave a presentation at the meeting.
    Green? Carbon neutral? Many of these claims are not evidence-based. Companies use them to persuade people to buy products or services that may not be sustainable. Such greenwashing practices may deceive consumers and harm the environment. A new report from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) considers what the EU and countries should do to combat greenwashing and support consumers in making informed and environmentally friendly choices.
    From 5 to 8 December 2023, FRA participated in the Grand Final of the Themis competition – moot court for judicial trainees organized by the European Judicial Training Network.
    FRA took part in a Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU seminar on women and justice.
    FRA held a webinar with CEPOL for law enforcement officers and prosecutors when in contact with children who are suspected or accused of crime.
    The EU Victims’ Rights Platform will meet on 18 November. The online meeting aims to discuss and synchronise ongoing and planned actions in relation to the challenges and opportunities related to the new technologies and victims’ rights.
    FRA will present its work relevant to the judiciary during the regular annual meeting of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) working group on Human Rights.
    FRA will present its project 'Digitalisation of justice: fundamental rights guidance' at a meeting of the Council's of the European Union’s e-justice Working Party.
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    FRA will present its latest research during training on procedural rights in criminal proceedings offered by the Academy of European Law (ERA).
    FRA will give a presentation to the Council of Europe’s Programme for Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP). It will present its tools and material on the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter during their annual network conference.
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    The European Judicial Training Network will hold a seminar at FRA from 18 to 19 April on applying the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
    Representatives from the Council of Europe, the European Commission and partner countries will meet on 19 March. They will launch their joint initiative on supporting Member States to make judicial proceedings more child-friendly across Europe nationally and locally.
    The new FRA Director, Sirpa Rautio, will take part in the meeting of Justice Ministers on 5 March. The FRA Director will join a session on the Council’s Conclusions on the European Commission’s annual report on the application of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter. The conclusions are expected to be adopted at the meeting.

    Victim Support Europe will host an event to mark European Day for Victims of Crime. The ‘Leave no one behind: Victims’ Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals’ symposium aims to spotlight the connection between victims' rights and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    On 21 November, FRA will welcome members from the École Nationale de la Magistrature (ENM), the French national school for the judiciary.
    The agency will speak at the European Economic & Social Committee’s annual conference on fundamental rights and the rule of law. The event will look at the civil society's take on the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law report.
    The European Coalition for Corporate Justice will hold a debate on 11 October on unpacking the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
    On 14 July, FRA will welcome members of the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) from Munich. ELSA is an international association of law students and young lawyers.
    On 12 June, FRA attends a mid-term progress review of the ‘Protecting victims of crime’ project.
    On 15 June, FRA will deliver a keynote speech at a symposium organised by the regional group of the German Association of Youth Court Assistants.
    The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) invited FRA to present how to use the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter in litigating judicial independence and related issues. This includes the use of FRA tools and materials.
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    FRA will take part in a series of seminars organised by the Council of Europe introducing their HELP course on procedural rights for lawyers in Bulgaria and Greece.
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    FRA’s Scientific Committee will hold an academic conference on 1 June in Lodz.
    An ad hoc meeting of the EU Victims’ Rights Platform will take place on 23 May. FRA will join the meeting online.