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
    24
    February
    2026
    The start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022 shocked the global community and gave rise to a
    series of urgent fundamental rights challenges across Europe. While much attention has focused on the scale of devastation and its wider impact on all Ukrainians, the war has also inflicted profound personal harm. This report sheds light on the violence, sexual harassment and exploitation experienced by women displaced from Ukraine. Drawing on a survey and in-depth interviews with women from Ukraine, the report documents the prevalence, forms and patterns of gender-based violence and sets out practical measures to improve safety, access to justice and support.
  • Video
    There are no truly safe spaces for women. At home, at work, in public or online, 1 in 3 women and girls have experienced some form of gender-based violence. This ranges from hate, harassment, abuse, to physical and sexual violence. Women are being silenced and harmed - online and offline - every day, as the EU gender-based survey findings show. But we have the tools to fight it. By preventing violence before it starts, by strengthen legal protection, by funding support services for victims and by training police and healthcare professionals.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    13
    November
    2025
    FRA analysed 31 digital tools and systems across seven EU Member States, exploring potential positive and negative effects on victims, claimants and defendants. By identifying risks early, investing in skills and training, and embedding protections from the outset, policymakers and practitioners can build effective and inclusive justice systems. This report provides practical suggestions to help ensure that digitalised justice systems are accessible and deliver fair outcomes for all.
  • Page
    The Criminal Detention Database 2015-2022 combines in one place information on detention conditions in all 27 EU Member States as well as the United Kingdom.
    Publications and data
    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
    12 new language versions now available
    04 March 2026
    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.
    10
    June
    2021
    The year 2020 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2021 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.
    10
    June
    2021
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2021 reviews major developments in the field in 2020, 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. This year’s focus chapter explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fundamental rights. The remaining chapters cover: the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; equality and non-discrimination; racism, xenophobia and related intolerance; Roma equality and inclusion; asylum, borders and migration; information society, privacy and data protection; rights of the child; access to justice; and the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
    10
    June
    2021
    This focus looks at COVID-19’s impact on fundamental rights. It underscores that a human rights-based approach to tackling the pandemic requires balanced measures that are based on law, necessary, temporary and proportional. It also requires addressing the pandemic’s socio-economic impact, protecting the vulnerable and fighting racism.
    31
    March
    2021
    This report looks at the practical implementation of the presumption of innocence in criminal proceedings, and related rights, in 9 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland and Portugal). Article 48 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees the presumption of innocence – but, as FRA’s research underscores, it can be undermined in many ways.
    8
    March
    2021
    24 language versions now available
    23 November 2021
    This summary presents the main insights from FRA’s second main report based on its Fundamental Rights Survey. The survey collected data from around 35,000 people about their experiences, perceptions and opinions on a range of issues that are variously encompassed by human 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. 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.
    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.
    The freedom to conduct a business, one of the lesser-known rights of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, can help boost growth and jobs across the EU.
    Children need to be heard and be involved in all issues that concern them. This includes the justice system.
    To mark the European Day for Victims of Crime on 22 February, FRA has created this infographic based on the the report: Victims of crime in the EU: the extent and nature of support for victims, published in January, 2015.
    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.
    Climate experts and child rights experts across Europe, NGOs, practitioners, academics, and children gathered for a meeting of European the Network of Child-friendly Justice. They discussed the diverse situations and challenges children encounter due to the impact of climate change while seeking access to justice and legal remedies.
    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 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.
    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.
    FRA took part in the Annual Event of the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security and a meeting of its Steering Group.
    On 19 September, FRA delivered a presentation on fundamental rights for Europol’s guest officers who will be deployed in Cyprus, Greece, Romania, and Slovakia.
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    Eurostat working group on crime and criminal justice statistics will meet to discuss their data needs. They will collect input from various other European Commission Directorates-General.
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    The European Commission and the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will host a High-Level Forum on the Future of EU Criminal Justice.
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    The European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) is organising training for the members of the judiciary on the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights.
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    FRA will present its work on the conditions of criminal detention during the Legal Experts Advisory Panel Annual Conference.
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    During the week of 27 January, FRA’s Director will have various speaking engagements and participate in several events during her visit to Poland.
    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.
    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.