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
    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
    6
    February
    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
    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.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    11
    October
    2021
    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.
    Publications and data
    11
    June
    2020
    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.
    11
    June
    2020
    Now available in Macedonian and Serbian
    13 November 2020
    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.
    11
    June
    2020
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2020 reviews major developments in the field in 2019, 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 how to unlock the full potential of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
    Greece needs solid, sustained support and solidarity as it faces great migration challenges, says FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty after 2 days of meetings in Athens with authorities.
    February
    2020
    In today’s media landscape the way in which journalists and editors receive, process and publish news is constantly changing. Journalists face immense time pressure, as news frequently breaks online To facilitate training on the coverage of migration news, this Trainer’s Manual is a tool to be used together with the e-Media Toolkit.
    In the latest edition of his video blog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty speaks about the importance and power of hope accompanying the work of FRA in 2020. Particularly after a troubled start of the year.
    Check out the EU's modern human rights catalogue and its chapter about Freedoms.
    Check out the EU's modern human rights catalogue and its chapter about Equality.
    Check out the EU's modern human rights catalogue and its chapter about Solidarity.
    The European Union Fundamental Rights Information System EFRIS is a Human Rights Gateway, bringing together data and information from existing human rights databases, and enables viewing and analysis of relevant assessments of fundamental rights in the EU.
    Improve law and policies by always checking the applicability of the Charter!
    Check out the EU's modern human rights catalogue and its chapters starting with Dignity.
    Check out the EU's modern human rights catalogue! The Charter celebrates this year its 10th anniversary since it became legally binding!
    12
    November
    2019
    The Charter is most effective, and has a real impact on people’s lives, when parliaments, governments and courts at local, regional and national levels all actively apply it. The national sphere is particularly relevant. A strong fundamental rights architecture and committed national governments and parliaments are key to letting the Charter unfold its potential at this level. Civil society organisations (CSOs) and national human rights institutions (NHRIs) are also crucial given their contributions to the protection and promotion of Charter rights.
    This video, shot at the recent Human Rights Communicators' Network Workshop, highlights many comments from the inspirational discussions on how elements of FRA's 10 keys to effectively communicate human rights can influence our day-to-day work.
    Talk by Sarah Wishart of Rights Info at the Human Rights Communicators' Workshop held at FRA on 3-4 October 2019.
    Talk by Szczepan Orlowski of Animorph at the Human Rights Communicators' Workshop held at FRA on 3-4 October 2019.
    Talk by Flavia Kleiner of Operation Libero to the Human Rights Communicators' Workshop held at FRA on 3-4 October 2019.
    FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty gave the opening talk at the Human Rights Communicators' Workshop held at the Agency on 3-4 October 2019.
    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.
    FRA recently added nine new language versions to its Charter e-learning platform. This development marks a significant step in FRA's commitment to providing comprehensive resources to a wider audience.
    FRA held the closing conference of its EEA & Norway Grants-funded regional cooperation project ‘Supporting National Human Rights Institutions in monitoring fundamental rights and the fundamental rights aspects of the rule of law’. The event raised awareness and improved understanding of NHRIs’ role in enhancing the application of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter at the national level and in the EU framework.
    FRA spoke during the online launch of the Global Nonprofits Guide 2.0 on 1 March. The guide brings together information on laws relating to the setting up and operations of civil society organisations in 70 countries.
    FRA presented the key results of its recent report on EU funds and ensuring compliance with fundamental rights during two national diagnostic workshops online from 26 to 27 February. The Bulgarian Ombuds Office organised the events.
    FRA spoke at a session of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development on 14 February. The Agency presented its report ‘EU funds-ensuring compliance with fundamental rights’ to the Committee.
    On 6 February, FRA published its update of the accreditation status and mandates of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). It now also covers the role of NHRIs in the context of EU funds and the use of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter.

    FRA welcomes views from all civil society organisations working in an EU Member State or in Serbia, Albania or North Macedonia or at the EU level for its annual civic space survey.
    FRA presented its findings on civic space at a European Commission workshop on shrinking antiracism civic space on 31 January in Brussels.
    A delegation from Moldova visited FRA on 16 January. It was an opportunity to present the Agency to the delegation and showcase how it works with examples.
    FRA’s provides guidance on organising and running training on the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter. The trainer’s manual is based on a series of cases studies.
    EU funds must respect fundamental rights and are a key driver for equality and inclusion. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) calls on the EU and its Member States to involve national human rights institutions, ombuds institutions and equality bodies in the programming, implementing and monitoring of EU funds. This will prevent EU money from being spent in ways that undermine or directly violate our rights.
    On 10-11 December, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) took part in the Human Rights Conference organised by the city of Vienna. Highlighting the Agency’s long-standing partnership with the city of Vienna, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty delivered opening remarks on the role of cities in protecting and promoting human rights.
    FRA presented its work and institutional cooperation on civic space at an internal forum of the European Commission’s NEAR Directorate-General. It also spoke about its work on entry, stay and support in the EU for human rights defenders.
    Between 20 and 21 November, FRA joined senior representatives of the nine EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies in Malta. The Agencies’ representatives took stock of the implementation of the five thematic priorities of the EU Asylum Agency’s 2023 Presidency of the network.
    On 9 November, FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty met with over 20 civil society organisations active in Brussels for a roundtable discussion. The meeting aimed to hear their concerns about the current fundamental rights situation.
    FRA took part in an online meeting on 9 November on defending civic space in the Balkans. The Balkan Civil Society Development Network organised the event.
    On 12 October, FRA presented an overview of civic space challenges in the EU at the conference ‘Where do we stand with the European civil society strategy?’. FRA gave a preview of the findings from its civic space report.
    The FRA Director visited the Council of Europe from 4 to 6 October.
    FRA presented an overview of civic space challenges in the EU at the conference ‘Where do we stand with the European civil society strategy?’.
    On 18 September, FRA took part in roundtable discussions on establishing a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in Czechia.
    On 8 May, FRA will welcome a group of Master’s students from the Central European University specialising in EU human rights law and public policy studies.
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    FRA will hold its regular meeting with its National Liaison Officers (NLOs) from 23 to 24 April online. The NLOs are FRA’s main contact points in Member States and in observer States to the work of FRA.
    FRA Director Sirpa Rautio and the Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić will meet on 25 April in Vienna. They will exchange views on current challenges to human rights in Europe and the importance of respecting fundamental rights standards.
    On 19 April, a workshop on fundamental rights data collection will take place at FRA. The objective is to provide expertise to Albanian authorities in developing fundamental rights data collection methodologies.
    On 16 April, FRA will welcome the Western Balkans Fellowship Programme at the Austrian Parliament in cooperation with the European Funds for the Balkans.
    On 5 June, FRA will hold a webinar on ensuring compliance with fundamental rights when using EU funds.
    FRA will run a webinar on 20 March at 10:00-12:00 CET for civil society organisations on available resources to Human Rights Defenders in need of relocation. This includes research and support available in the EU.
    FRA’s Executive Board will meet on 21 March via videoconference.
    FRA will join Equinet’s online meeting on 20 March about Equality Bodies’ standards. There will be an update on the current state of the legislative initiative and the expected conclusion.
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    The Council of Europe will host a networking conference in Strasbourg from 29 February to 1 March for its Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) programme.
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    FRA will host the closing conference of its EEA and Norway Grants-funded regional cooperation project ‘Supporting National Human Rights Institutions in monitoring fundamental rights and the fundamental rights aspects of the rule of law’. The event takes place in Brussels from 21 to 22 February.
    FRA will present its Draft Programming Document 2025-2027 to the Council of the EU’s Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizen’s Rights and Free Movement of Persons (FREMP) on 30 January in Brussels.
    FRA will give an online presentation on its work and activities to a delegation of Turkish authorities on 25 January.
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    The next Fundamental Rights Forum will take place in Vienna on 11 and 12 March 2024. It will unite policymakers, thought leaders, human rights defenders, corporate executives, artists, and other influential figures with a simple goal: to embrace human rights for Europe’s brighter future.
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    The CharterXchange is a forum for legal practitioners and stakeholders to explore current and potential applications of the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights and its role in driving positive changes for people’s rights. It will convene annually in December.
    On 21 November, the representatives of the EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Agencies’ Network will meet in Malta.
    FRA will speak at the opening panel of the European Commission’s conference on ‘A thriving civic space for upholding fundamental rights in the EU: a framework for future action’.
    FRA will host an expert meeting for its new project on ensuring the right to environmental protection.
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    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).