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.

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Highlights

  • Report / Paper / Summary
    19
    December
    2023

    EU funds: Ensuring compliance with fundamental rights

    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
    6
    February
    2024

    NHRI accreditation status and mandates - update 2024

    The 2024 update on NHRIs accreditation status and mandates also covers their engagement in the monitoring of fundamental rights compliance in the use of EU funds at national level. Moreover, the update also shows how NHRIs make use of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in their work when advising government or in education, training and awareness raising activities. Since its 2020 report 'Strong and effective national human rights institutions – challenges, promising practices and opportunities', the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has been regularly tracking the accreditation status and mandates of NHRIs.
  • Periodic updates / Series
    18
    October
    2023

    Protecting civil society – Update 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.
    Read news item
  • Urban girl striding through city area
    Report / Paper / Summary
    11
    October
    2021

    Human rights cities in the EU: a framework for reinforcing rights locally

    This report proposes a framework for becoming, and functioning as, a ‘human rights city’ in the EU. It includes ‘foundations’, ‘structures’ and ‘tools’ for mayors, local administrations and grassroots organisations to reinforce fundamental rights locally. It is based on existing good practice and expert input by representatives of human rights cities in the EU, academic experts, international organisations and city networks.
    Watch video on Human rights cities
    Read news item
Products
FRA Director, Michael O'Flaherty surrounded by young people online
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Event recording - Second Fundamental Rights Dialogue

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.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

Highlights video - First Fundamental Rights Dialogue

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.
More information on the event
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Reinforcing the EU Charter - key statements of panellists

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.
Watch event full recording
Event information
Report / Paper / Summary
Support for human rights systems and defenders
16
December
2020
All language versions now available
20 July 2021

What do fundamental rights mean for people in the EU? Summary - Fundamental Rights Survey

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.
Watch videos
More survey info
Access all survey reports
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Stand up for everyone's human rights

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.
Old woman being treated, home schooling, woman with mask serving in a shop, homeless man
Periodic updates / Series
Support for human rights systems and defenders
30
November
2020

Coronavirus pandemic in the EU - Fundamental Rights Implications - Bulletin 6

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.
Read news item
Download country research
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Video statement by Michael O’Flaherty for the 2020 General conference of the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities (ICCAR)

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”.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
National human rights systems and bodies
Inter-governmental human rights systems

Virtual key note address by FRA Director to the 2020 Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

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".
Find out more about the event
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Inter-governmental human rights systems

FRA Director on the 70th anniversary of the ECHR

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".
Law scales being held by many hands
freshidea © adobestock.com, 2020
Report / Paper / Summary
National human rights systems and bodies
Support for human rights systems and defenders
3
September
2020
Summary version now available
21 January 2021

Strong and effective national human rights institutions – challenges, promising practices and opportunities

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.
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Page
Support for human rights systems and defenders

EEA and Norway Grants

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.
mature woman with grey hair in hospital patient gown and mask infected by COVID-19
Periodic updates / Series
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
29
July
2020

Coronavirus pandemic in the EU - Fundamental Rights Implications - Bulletin 4

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.
Read news item
Download country research
Download all bulletins
Hand gestures no to megaphone
Report / Paper / Summary
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders
28
July
2020

Civic space – experiences of organisations in 2019

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.
Read news item
More on the Fundamental Rights Platform
Video
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Support for human rights systems and defenders

The Fundamental Rights Survey

This video was produced for the launch of the Fundamental Rights Survey in June 2020 and gives an overview of the main results.
Download report
Watch the event recording
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
Report / Paper / Summary
Support for human rights systems and defenders
24
June
2020
Summary version now available
07 December 2020

What do fundamental rights mean for people in the EU? - Fundamental Rights Survey

FRA’s Fundamental Rights Survey collected data from 35,000 people about their experiences, perceptions and opinions on a range of issues that are variously encompassed by human rights. This report presents a small selection of the survey results. It focuses on findings with respect to respondents’ opinions about human – or fundamental rights; their views and perceptions on the functioning of democratic societies – as a pillar on which human rights can flourish; and on their thoughts on and engagement with public services that have a duty to enforce human rights law and to protect people’s rights.
Watch videos
Access data explorer
Access all survey reports
Report / Paper / Summary
Borders and information systems
Asylum, migration and borders
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society
19
June
2020

June 2020 update - NGO ships involved in search and rescue in the Mediterranean and legal proceedings against them

In 2019, the International Organization for Migration estimated that 1,866 people have died or gone missing while crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe to escape war or persecution or to pursue a better life. This is an average of five people per day. In recent years, a significant proportion of migrants in distress at sea have been rescued by civil society vessels deployed with a humanitarian mandate to reduce fatalities and bring rescued migrants to safety. Since 2018, however, authorities in some EU Member States started viewing civil society-deployed rescue vessels with hostility. As a reaction, national authorities initiated about 40 administrative and criminal proceedings against crew members or vessels, including seizing the latter. In some cases, rescue vessels were blocked in harbours due to flag issues or the inability to meet technical requirements.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Video blog Michael O'Flaherty: Fundamental Rights Survey

In his latest vlog Michael O'Flaherty introduces FRA's survey of 35,000 people on attitudes to human and fundamental rights.
Fundamental Rights Report
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Support for human rights systems and defenders
11
June
2020

Ten years on: unlocking the Charter’s full potential

This focus takes a closer look at the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which has been legally binding for 10 years. At EU level, it has gained visibility and sparked a new fundamental rights culture. At national level, awareness and use of the Charter are limited. Courts increasingly use the Charter, showing the impact of this modern instrument. But its use by governments and parliaments remains low. For instance, there is little indication of anyone regularly scrutinising national legislation that transposes EU law for compatibility with the Charter.
Fundamental Rights Report
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Asylum, migration and borders
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Justice, victims’ rights and judicial cooperation
Support for human rights systems and defenders
11
June
2020
Now available in Macedonian and Serbian
13 November 2020

Fundamental Rights Report 2020 – FRA opinions

The year 2019 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2020 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. In so doing, it provides a compact but informative overview of the main fundamental rights challenges confronting the EU and its Member States.
Infographic
Inter-governmental human rights systems
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Sustainable Development Goals and human rights in the EU

Fundamental Rights Report 2019: Implementing fundamental and human rights helps create a sustainable future.
Here the EU plays a key role.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Video Blog by Michael O'Flaherty: Press freedom

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.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Video Blog by Michael O'Flaherty: Fundamental Rights Forum

This video blog by FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty is released periodically and will address burning fundamental rights themes.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
National human rights systems and bodies

Director’s latest vlog: standing up for human rights

FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty focuses on ways to push back against challenges to our human rights system.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Video blog by Michael O'Flaherty: Communicating rights

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.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Video blog by Michael O'Flaherty: Challenges facing civil society in Europe

Civil society is under threat in too many places in Europe.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty on FRA’s cooperation with civil society

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.”
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

10th Anniversary FRA - Video Message Ulrike Lunacek

This video message by Ulrike Lunacek, Vice-President of the European Parliament, was recorded on the occasion of FRA's 10th anniversary.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders

A decade of human rights protection: The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights turns 10

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.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

FRA contributions to OECD work on civic space

FRA joined the OECD’s Civic Space Advisory Group meeting on 8 September.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders

EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies meet

FRA took part in a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Agencies’ Network at EU Asylum Agency in Valetta on 5 September.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

FRA discusses civic space with OSCE human dimension committee

FRA contributed to the OSCE’s human dimension committee meeting on 12 September.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Ways forward on civic space in Finland

FRA spoke at a seminar on civil society policy on 12 September.
FRA's Scientific Committee
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders

New Scientific Committee elects its first Chair and Vice Chair

The newly-appointed Scientific Committee of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency elected John Morijn as its Chair and Kirsten Roberts Lyer as its Vice-Chair for a term of one year.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Asylum, migration and borders

FRA reports presented to the European Parliament and Council

FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty presented two new FRA reports to the European Parliament and the Council.
News Item
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders

How to better support human rights defenders in need of protection

Across the world, human rights defenders take action to protect and promote human rights. But many of them face persecution in their home countries due to their human rights work. As there is no common, consistent EU approach, it is often difficult for them to find safety in the EU. Lack of information and obstacles in obtaining visa are some of the main challenges they face, finds an EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) report. More flexible relocation programmes and practical support would help.
Read human rights defenders' report
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Info session on FRA data explorer

FRA organised an information session on its data explorers. The session provided an overview of available datasets, and explained how to search, visualise or export the data. More than 40 representatives of national authorities across the EU joined the presentation.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders

FRA Director holds ministerial meetings with incoming Spanish Presidency

On 8 and 9 June, the FRA Director met with Spanish government officials in the run-up to the Presidency of the Council of the EU in Madrid.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

How to support civil society through funding

The European Commission and FRA hosted a seminar on ‘Supporting civil society organisations and human rights defenders through funding’ on 19 June in Brussels.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders

FRA launches new version of EFRIS tool

FRA launched a major new version of its European Fundamental Rights Information System – EFRIS.
Visit EFRIS
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

FRA presents its latest work on human rights defenders

FRA presented its ongoing work on a report on human rights defenders’ access to the EU at the annual meeting of the EU Temporary Relocation Platform.
FRA Director speaking at conference on Institutional Protection of Fundamental Rights in times of Crises, 20 - 21 April 2023
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Making human rights protection more resilient in times of crises

Fundamental rights have weathered multiple storms recently as various crises impact Europe and the wider world. Participants at a high-level conference drew lessons from crises, past and present, and charted a way forward to make human rights structures more resilient.
Download outcome report
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Communications Heads from EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies meet

FRA took part in the regular meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies Heads of Communication
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Annual Meeting with the EEA and Norway Grants

FRA had its annual Directors level meeting with the EEA and Norway Grants in Oslo on 5 June.
Fundamental Rights Report 2023 - Ukraine flag, data protection, eyeball with hand and child in poverty
Press Release
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

Targeted support for people fleeing Ukraine, tackling rising child poverty and hate, and digital safeguards: FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2023

The impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, rising child poverty, widespread hate and protecting rights in the face of technological change are just some of the pressing human rights issues in FRA’s 2023 Fundamental Rights Report. With a focus section on the impact of the aggression within the EU, the report examines the support and solidarity provided by governments, local authorities and society. It suggests how EU countries can better ensure effective protection, especially for women who fled the conflict and need targeted support.
Download full report
Download opinions
Download focus chapter
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Judicial cooperation and rule of law

Promoting and protecting human rights in Ireland

The EU & International Affairs Committee of the Law Society of Ireland invited FRA’s Director to deliver a speech in Dublin on 15 May.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Civic space challenges for youth organisations

FRA met online with member organisations of the European Youth Forum to consult on their civic space challenges.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Holistic protection needed for civil society

FRA spoke at a European Commission seminar on protecting civic space on 10 May in Brussels.
News Item
Support for human rights systems and defenders
National human rights systems and bodies

Fostering cohesion, equality and inclusion within Polish cities

On 26 April, FRA joined a webinar on the role of local governments policies based in human rights.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
National human rights systems and bodies
-

FRA and its National Liaison Officers meet in Vienna

On 9 and 10 November, FRA will organise a meeting of its National Liaison Officers in Vienna. The meeting will bring together government representatives from 27 Member States and three Candidates Countries (Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia).
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
National human rights systems and bodies

Advancing human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe

The Vice Chair of FRA's Management Board, Rick Lawson, will speak on behalf of the FRA Director at the 10-years Anniversary event of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Fundamental Rights Platform holds its Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of FRA’s Fundamental Rights Platform will take place online on 2 October.
Visit event site
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Inter-governmental human rights systems

FRA and Council of Europe further strengthen their cooperation

FRA Director will visit the Council of Europe on 5 October in Strasbourg.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Inter-governmental human rights systems

FRA keynote at the 2023 OSCE Human Dimension Conference

FRA Director will be a keynote speaker at the 2023 OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference Council on 2 October in Warsaw.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders

FRA Management and Executive Boards to meet

FRA's Executive Board and Management Board will convene on 29 September.
Event
Civil society
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Fundamental Rights Platform Annual General Meeting

The meeting will take place online on Monday 2 October 2023 from 11:00-15:30 CEST.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
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EU Charter training for Slovenian authorities

FRA will present the Slovene translation of FRA's Handbook on European law relating to asylum, borders and immigration in Ljubljana on 11 and 12 September.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

The 2023 HELP Network Conference

The Council of Europe Programme for human rights education for legal professionals (HELP) will host a hybrid conference on 6 July.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Fundamental Rights Platform webinar on FRA’s 2023 Fundamental Rights report

On 3 July, FRA will run a webinar for the Fundamental Rights Platform to present and discuss the key highlights, opinions and findings from FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2023.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Protecting at risk human rights defenders from non-EU countries

FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty will present FRA’s upcoming report on protecting human rights defenders at risk to the European Parliament’s Human Rights subcommittee (DROI) on 28 June.
Watch stream
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
-

Swedish Presidency conference to discuss way forward on the rule of law

The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU will convene experts from Member States, EU institutions and other stakeholders for the Stockholm Symposium on Democracy and the Rule of Law.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

FRA welcomes members of the Serbian judiciary

On 21 June, FRA will welcome a delegation from the Serbian judiciary.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Charter presentation to European Association of Lawyers

On 24 May, FRA will present to members of the European Association of Lawyers its work, tools and material on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Inter-governmental human rights systems

FRA to exchange views with OSCE experts

FRA will have exchange views with Human Dimension experts from the EU Delegation and EU Member States Permanent Representations to the OSCE.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
National human rights systems and bodies

Local government policies based on human rights

FRA will present its Framework for Human Rights Cities to staff of Polish cities in a webinar organised by the Polish Association of Municipalities.
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Inter-governmental human rights systems
National human rights systems and bodies
-

Conference on institutional protection of fundamental rights in times of crises

A high-level conference on institutional protection of fundamental rights in times of crises will take place in Lund from 20 to 21 April. It will provide a forum to discuss how structures to protect fundamental rights in the European Union can be made more robust and resilient in times of crises. The event aims to explore what can we learn from crises, past and present, and how can we best move forward. The event will be live streamed.
Event site
Director's keynote speech
Event recording
Outcome report
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Child protection
Legal migration and integration
Civil society

FRA holds civil society thematic webinars

On 25 April, FRA will hold one of its monthly webinars for civil society organisations participating in the Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP).
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Conference looks to fundamental rights and media freedom

On 30 March, FRA will deliver the keynote address opening day 2 of the Media Freedom Rapid Response Summit (MFRR).
Visit event site
Event
Support for human rights systems and defenders
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
National human rights systems and bodies

FRA to host NHRI Fundamental Rights Charter meeting

On 21 March, FRA will host a hybrid event on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights for a group of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).