Systems

Support for human rights systems and defenders

Many organisations work to defend your rights. We help their efforts with independent evidence, advice and expertise.

We support their frontline work. And we shine a light on potential risks and priority areas. Together we make your rights a reality.

Highlights

  • Report / Paper / Summary
    22
    October
    2025
    This publication discusses how businesses can meet their human rights and environmental responsibilities. It focuses on key elements of mandatory human rights due diligence and presents reflections on principles from international law and EU law. The paper explains why risk-based human rights due diligence is needed and how it should be implemented. It also highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, access to remedies, and oversight. It aims to inform EU policymakers and stakeholders about ways to effectively promote responsible business conduct and to ensure adequate protection of rightsholders.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    11
    July
    2023
    Across the world, human rights defenders protect and uphold human rights in some of the most challenging situations. In some countries they face worrying levels of threats and attacks, intimidation and harassment. This report outlines how human rights defenders can enter and stay in the EU when they need protection. It suggests how EU institutions and Member States could use the flexibility in existing legal provisions and provide shelter for defenders who seek protection.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    19
    December
    2023
    All EU funds must be spent in a way that respect fundamental rights. The EU spends billions of euros on creating jobs, economic growth, sustainable development and improving people’s lives. To prevent funds from being spent in ways that directly violate people’s fundamental rights, the EU strengthened the conditions how funds can be spent in 2021. This report looks at how the newly introduced conditions related to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can be upheld in practice. It analyses the potential role of national human rights institutions, ombudsperson institutions and equality bodies. These safeguards can advance compliance with fundamental rights.
  • Periodic updates / Series
    18
    October
    2023
    Civil society organisations struggle to maintain an environment safe from threats and attacks. FRA’s sixth annual update on civic space explores the challenges for organisations across the EU. While there has been significant development since FRA began monitoring the situation in 2018, civil society organisations remain under immense pressure. Abusive lawsuits and attacks against those involved in migrant search and rescue at sea are just some of the challenges identified. This report presents ways forward to protect civil society and human rights.
    Publications and data
    A clip on human rights cities upon launch of ‘Framework of commitments for human rights cities’
    28
    September
    2021
    Since September 2020, three National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) had a change in their accreditation status, two new institutions were created and nine have had a change in tasks covered by their mandates. Following up on the September 2020 report “Strong and effective national human rights institutions – challenges, promising practices and opportunities”, this update provides an overview of developments in the accreditation status and mandates of NHRIS in the past 12 months. The update covers the 27 EU Member States as well as three additional states within FRA’s mandate (Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia).
    On the occasion of the launch of FRA’s report ‘Protecting civic space in the EU’ this clip sheds light on the challenges civil society faces across the European Union.
    On 23 February 2021, FRA’s Director, Michael O’Flaherty, listened to fundamental rights concerns and discussed ways to solve them. The second Fundamental Rights Dialogue invited young people to participate in shaping our societies, placing human rights centre stage.
    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.
    On 23 February 2021, FRA’s Director, Michael O’Flaherty, listened to fundamental rights concerns and discussed ways to solve them. The second Fundamental Rights Dialogue invited young people to participate in shaping our societies, placing human rights centre stage.
    On 13 November, the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) hosted its first Fundamental Rights Dialogue - a virtual event that gave young people an opportunity to voice their fundamental rights concerns and discussed ways to solve them with FRA's Director Michael O'Flaherty.
    Key statements from the FRA/Euractiv online event Reinforcing the EU Charter: rights of people in the EU in the next decade, 7 December 2020.
    16
    December
    2020
    All language versions now available
    20 July 2021
    The EU is founded on the values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights. Yet these values, and discussions on fundamental rights at the EU and Member State level, can seem remote in people’s daily lives. With this in mind, FRA explored what people understand, know and experience with respect to their fundamental rights in practice. The resulting data provide comprehensive and comparable evidence on these aspects.
    This year, the COVID-19 pandemic leaves a lasting mark on society worldwide. It affected everyone but some people more than others. As we look ahead, on Human Rights Day, on 10 December, we need to make the new normal a better normal. In his video message, FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty underlines the need to stand up for human rights to make 2021 a better year. This means ensuring we respect and take into account everybody's human rights.
    30
    November
    2020
    This report outlines some of the measures EU Member States have put in place to protect public health as Europe faces the ‘second wave’ of the Coronavirus pandemic. It highlights how these may affect fundamental rights, especially social rights.
    This video statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was recorded for the 2020 General conference of the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities (ICCAR): “CommunicAction – A common front to protect human rights at the local level”.
    This video statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was recorded for the Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform: ''Connectivity between regional and global human rights mechanisms".
    This video statement by FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty was recorded for the e-conference "70 years of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: challenges and prospects".
    3
    September
    2020
    Summary version now available
    21 January 2021
    National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are a vital part of the country-level human rights protection system. This report, published 10 years after FRA’s first in-depth study on NHRIs, looks at such bodies in the EU, as well as the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Serbia, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It explores relevant developments, challenges to their effectiveness and ways to maximise their impact.
    The Agency cooperates with the EEA and Norway Grants as a strategic partner in the protection, promotion and fulfillment of fundamental rights.
    The cooperation aims to support the design and implementation of EEA and Norway Grants funded programmes and projects in selected EU Member States. It also aims to raise awareness on fundamental rights, combating social exclusion and discrimination, and supporting related civil society initiatives.
    29
    July
    2020
    As we enter the second half of 2020, the constraints on our daily lives brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic have become a firm reality. New local lockdowns and the reintroduction of restrictive measures prompted by fresh outbreaks of the virus are a stark reminder that COVID-19 continues to shape our lives – and our enjoyment of fundamental rights – in profound ways. There is compelling evidence of how the pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges in our societies. This FRA Bulletin outlines some of the measures EU Member States adopted to safely reopen their societies and economies while continuing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. It highlights the impact these measures may have on civil, political and socioeconomic rights.
    28
    July
    2020
    This paper presents key findings from FRA’s second consultation of its Fundamental Rights Platform, focusing on the experiences of civil society organisations (CSOs) working on human rights. FRA started an annual consultation with organisations participating in its platform in 2018.
    This video was produced for the launch of the Fundamental Rights Survey in June 2020 and gives an overview of the main results.
    In the latest edition of his video blog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty focuses on the migration situation in the Mediterranean Sea and makes three proposals.
    Fundamental Rights Report 2019: Ten years after the UN’s Disability Convention entered into force, 2018 saw it continue
    to drive advances in disability rights across the EU.
    Fundamental Rights Report 2019: The Charter of Fundamental Rights is the EU’s bill of human rights. These rights and principles have to be respected and promoted by EU institutions and Member States whenever they act within EU law. Approaching the Charter’s 10th anniversary, Member States do not yet make full use of the potential it offers.
    Fundamental Rights Report 2019: Implementing fundamental and human rights helps create a sustainable future.
    Here the EU plays a key role.
    In the latest edition of his video blog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty focuses on press freedom and the importance of an independent media for the society.
    This video blog by FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty is released periodically and will address burning fundamental rights themes.
    FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty focuses on ways to push back against challenges to our human rights system.
    In this third edition of his video blog FRA Director, Michael O'Flaherty, focuses on bolstering our human rights communications to underline why human rights matter to us all.
    FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty speaks about the role of civil society and the FRA’s mechanism for cooperation with civil society, the Fundamental Rights Platform. “A healthy civil society is vital for the protection and promotion of fundamental rights. (…) Without civil society, we are not able to achieve our goals, we are not able to deliver our results. (…) We can cooperate to ensure that our Europe of values remains and gets ever stronger.”
    This video message by Ulrike Lunacek, Vice-President of the European Parliament, was recorded on the occasion of FRA's 10th anniversary.
    In 2017 and beyond, the Fundamental Rights Agency will focus on today’s most urgent human rights quandaries, from migration and asylum, through xenophobia and discrimination, to the very contemporary challenges of privacy, surveillance and hate speech in the digital age.
    FRA, together with the European Commission and ProtectDefenders.eu delivered online training for EU Delegations and consular staff in Member State embassies on the issue of visa for human rights defenders at risk.
    As human rights and democracy come under increasing pressure worldwide, the discussions at the latest Fundamental Rights Forum remain as relevant as ever. On 11-12 March 2024, the Forum gathered diverse voices to tackle some of the most pressing human rights challenges of our time. The Forum’s videos on FRA’s YouTube channel offer insights into issues, such as democratic resilience, freedom of expression, and challenges to the rule of law - all critical in today's shifting political landscape.
    On 7 March, FRA spoke at a national event on setting up the National Human Rights Institution in Italy. The discussion focused on challenges and perspectives of setting up NHRI in Italy.
    FRA’s Executive Board meeting took place online on 4 March. The Board was updated on most recent FRA’s work.
    FRA invites views from all civic society organisations working in an EU Member State or in Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia or at the EU level for its annual civic space consultation.
    On 5 February, FRA took part in a seminar in Helsinki organised by the Council of Europe and the Finnish Non-discrimination Ombudsman. The event was part of a EU-Council of Europe funded technical support project on upholding equality and non-discrimination by equality bodies regarding the use of artificial intelligence in public administrations.
    The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is honoured to chair the EU Justice & Home Affairs Agencies Network (JHAAN) this year. Together, the JHAAN Agencies work tirelessly on promoting rights, freedom, security and justice across the EU.
    FRA held an information session for National Liaison Officers on the Agency’s draft Single Programming Document. The presentation included information on the Agency’s programming and planning process.
    Challenges, promising practices and lessons learnt in mainstreaming human rights into programmes and project lifecycles was the focus of an expert meeting on 30 January. They also discussed future directions in mainstreaming human rights and the human rights-based approach locally, while addressing global challenges and the need for innovation.
    FRA has launched its annual Stakeholder Feedback Survey for 2024, and we want to hear from you!
    FRA Director Sirpa Rautio took part in an international human rights conference in Kyiv on 5 December. The Ukrainian Commissioner for Human Rights organised the ‘The Law of Force or the Force of Law? The Crisis of the Global Human Rights System and Ways to Overcome It’ conference.
    FRA took part in the 3rd EU human rights dialogue with Mexico. The EU External Action Service (EEAS) hosted the meeting.
    On 13 December, FRA’s Management Board re-elected Jim Clarken as the new Chairperson for a second term starting on 19 March 2025.
    On 21 November, FRA’s Director took part in a high-level conference in Strasbourg marking the 25th Anniversary of the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner.
    On 20 and 21 November in Poznan, FRA spoke at the Human Rights Cities Conference on cities inclusiveness. The event brought together more than 90 representatives of local authorities, civil society, academia, business, networks, international and European experts.
    FRA spoke about the economic, social and cultural rights situation in Europe and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on fundamental rights. It drew from the focus chapter of the Agency’s fundamental rights report 2024.
    FRA took part in the Annual Meeting of Focal Points of Regional Human Regional Human Rights Mechanisms. The UN Human Rights Office organised the meeting. It took place on 13 November.
    FRA contributed to an event organised by the Brussels office of the UN’s human rights office on better protecting environmental human rights defenders. The meeting looked into the situation of defenders in the wider Europe region.
    On 20 September, the Presidency of the Council convened a training session on the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Around 80 Councillors had registered for the training event.
    On 17 September, FRA took part in a virtual meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies on methodologies for drafting annual reports. The EU Asylum Agency (EUAA) organised the meeting.
    FRA will contribute to a course organised by the European Institute of Public Administration for the Slovenian Managing Authority, and its Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development.
    FRA will speak on its work on EU funds and fundamental rights at a meeting of the ECHOFunds project. The meeting will cover how to implement the fundamental rights enabling condition on EU funds in Austria.
    A delegation of judges from the Constitutional Court of Ukraine will visit the Agency on 10 April. This visit is organised by the OSCE Support Programme to Ukraine.
    FRA will present the programme and activities for the EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies network that the Agency chairs this year.
    On 5 February, FRA experts will exchange views with Human Dimension experts from the EU Delegation to International Organisations in Vienna and EU Member States Permanent Representations to the OSCE.
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    On 30 January, FRA will host an expert meeting on mainstreaming human rights into programme and project lifecycles, from initiation and planning to executing and closing as well as monitoring and control.
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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.
    On 31 January, there will be a study visit to FRA from the Council of Europe’s new Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights, Gudrun Mosler-Törnström.
    FRA Director Sirpa Rautio will be the keynote speaker at a public event to mark Vienna’s 10th anniversary as human rights city. Vienna became a human rights city in 2014, with a declaration, an action plan and subsequent opening of a human rights office.
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    The Agency’s Executive Board and Management Board will meet from 12 to 13 December.
    On 4 December, students from the Central European University Vienna will visit FRA as part of their Political Economy class.
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    A high-level conference in Bled from 5 to 6 December aims to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia.
    On 3 December, a group of students from Vienna’s Webster University will visit FRA.
    On 2 December in Rome, FRA will present the key findings and challenges identified in its Fundamental Rights Report 2024. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of fundamental rights issues in Italy.
    FRA will take part in the next Infra4NextGen Stakeholders Board online meeting on 18 November. The project is funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.
    FRA will present its report on EU Funds: Ensuring compliance with fundamental rights at a meeting of the Member States' expert group on the Common Provisions Regulation for EU Funds.
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    FRA will take part in the 1st Eastern Partnership Civil Society Summit. It will take place from 19 to 21 November in Vienna.
    FRA’s Director will take part in the 25th anniversary of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. She will join a high-level panel debate discussing how to stand up for human rights in challenging times.
    On 13 November, FRA will speak at a seminar on human rights and local democracy in Europe in Strasbourg. FRA will contribute to a table discussion on actions from the Council of Europe and the European Union in human rights at the local level.