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
    July
    2022
    Civil society is a key component of Europe’s fundamental rights architecture. From supporting people affected by the pandemic to helping those fleeing the war in Ukraine, civil society plays a crucial role in upholding people’s rights. In so doing, it contributes to a healthy rule of law culture. FRA’s civic space report provides an overview of the many ways in which civil society contributes to the checks and balances that underpin the rule of law.
  • Handbook / Guide / Manual
    14
    April
    2022
    Speaking up for human rights has never been more important! But how can we best do it? How do we bring people together and cut through the noise?
  • 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.
  • Page
    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.
Products
23
October
2018
ES, HU, LT, LV, SK, SL and PT versions now available
18 November 2020
As a very modern human rights catalogue containing many rights not found in established bills of rights, the Charter indeed looks good on paper. Those familiar with the main principles of EU law can usually quickly recite that the Charter is always binding on the EU, and binding on Member States only when they are "implementing EU law". But what does this often-quoted language from Article 51 of the Charter actually mean?
1
October
2018
This note draws attention to the recent trend of criminalising search and rescue operations (SAR) in the Mediterranean Sea carried out by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or other private entities. This includes seizing rescue vessels, as well as arrests for crew members, in some EU Member States. Most of such incidents concerned NGOs operating in the Central Mediterranean Sea.
1
October
2018
With this Opinion, FRA aims to contribute to the European Parliament's own-initiative report on the “Implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the EU institutional framework”, being prepared in the Parliament’s Committee for Constitutional Affairs (AFCO). The request aims at understanding the interaction between the Charter’s implementation at national and EU level, and whether there are “instruments, mechanisms and practices” available at EU level to assist Member States to better implement the Charter.
26
September
2018
These 10 keys sum up the core points
communicators and practitioners in various fields
raised in FRA’s expert meetings, practitioners’
seminars and focus groups in 2017 and 2018.
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.
6
June
2018
The year 2017 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection. FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2018 reviews major developments in the field, identifying both achievements and remaining areas of concern.
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.
18
January
2018
Civil society organisations in the European Union play a crucial role in promoting fundamental rights, but it has become harder for them to do so – due to both legal and practical restrictions. This report looks at the different types and patterns of challenges faced by civil society organisations working on human rights in the EU.
18
January
2018
Organizace občanské společnosti v Evropské unii hrají klíčovou úlohu při prosazování základních práv, avšak tato činnost je pro ně stále obtížnější z důvodu právních i praktických
omezení. Problémy existují ve všech členských státech EU, jejich přesná povaha a rozsah se však liší. Údaje a výzkum týkající se této problematiky, včetně srovnávacího výzkumu,
obecně chybějí.
Zpráva FRA se proto zabývá různými typy a podobami výzev, jimž organizace občanské společnosti působící v oblasti lidských práv v EU čelí.
18
January
2018
Civilsamfundsorganisationerne i EU spiller en afgørende rolle med hensyn til at fremme de grundlæggende rettigheder, men det er blevet sværere for dem at gøre det — på grund af
både lovgivningsmæssige og praktiske begrænsninger. Der er udfordringer i alle EU-medlemsstaterne, men den nøjagtige art og omfanget af dem varierer. Data og forskning om
denne problemstilling — herunder sammenlignende forskning — savnes generelt.
FRA’s rapport ser derfor på de forskellige typer og mønstre af udfordringer, som civilsamfundsorganisationer, der arbejder for menneskerettigheder i EU, står over for.
18
January
2018
Zivilgesellschaftliche Organisationen in der Europäischen Union spielen bei der Förderung der Grundrechte eine entscheidende Rolle, doch gestaltet sich dies – aufgrund rechtlicher
und praktischer Einschränkungen – für sie immer schwieriger. Zwar stehen alle EU-Mitgliedstaaten vor Herausforderungen, doch sind diese hinsichtlich ihrer Art und ihres Ausmaßes
ganz unterschiedlich. Generell fehlen zu diesem Thema Daten und Forschungsarbeiten – einschließlich der vergleichenden Forschung. Der Bericht der FRA befasst sich daher mit den unterschiedlichen Arten und Tendenzen der Herausforderungen, vor denen in der EU tätige zivilgesellschaftliche Menschenrechtsorganisationen stehen.
18
January
2018
Euroopa Liidu kodanikuühiskonna organisatsioonidel on oluline roll põhiõiguste edendamisel, kuid nii õiguslike kui ka praktiliste piirangute tõttu on neil seda üha raskem teha. Probleemid esinevad kõigis ELi liikmesriikides, ehkki nende olemus ja ulatus on erinev. Selle valdkonna andmed ja teadusuuringud – ka võrdlevad teadusuuringud – on üldiselt puudulikud.
Seepärast käsitleb FRA aruanne ELi inimõiguste valdkonnas tegutsevate kodanikuühiskonna organisatsioonide ees seisvate probleemide eri liike ja trende.
18
January
2018
Οι οργανώσεις της κοινωνίας των πολιτών στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση διαδραματίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην προαγωγή των θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων, όμως νομικοί και πρακτικοί
περιορισμοί δυσχεραίνουν την επίτευξη του στόχου αυτού. Μολονότι σε όλα τα κράτη μέλη της ΕΕ υφίστανται προκλήσεις, η ακριβής φύση και η έκτασή τους ποικίλλουν. Σε
γενικές γραμμές, για το θέμα αυτό δεν υφίστανται επαρκή στοιχεία ούτε επαρκής έρευνα –περιλαμβανομένης της συγκριτικής έρευνας.
Ως εκ τούτου, η έκθεση του FRA εξετάζει την τυπολογία και τα ιδιαίτερα χαρακτηριστικά των προκλήσεων που αντιμετωπίζουν οι οργανώσεις της κοινωνίας των πολιτών που δραστηριοποιούνται στον τομέα των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων στην ΕΕ.
18
January
2018
Las organizaciones de la sociedad civil de la Unión Europea desempeñan un papel crucial en la promoción de los derechos fundamentales, pero les resulta más difícil hacerlo, debido
a restricciones tanto jurídicas como prácticas. Si bien existen dificultades en todos los Estados miembros de la UE, difieren en su naturaleza exacta y su magnitud. Por lo general, se
carece de datos e investigaciones sobre esta cuestión, incluida una investigación comparativa. El informe de la FRA analiza los distintos tipos y patrones que presentan las dificultades
a las que se enfrentan las organizaciones de la sociedad civil que trabajan en el ámbito de los derechos humanos en la UE.
18
January
2018
Au sein de l’Union européenne, les OSC jouent un rôle crucial dans la promotion des droits fondamentaux, mais il leur est désormais plus difficile d’assumer ce rôle en raison de restrictions d’ordre à la fois juridique et pratique. Si des difficultés sont observées dans tous les États membres, leur nature et leur étendue exactes varient d’un pays à l’autre. Les données et les études sur cette question – y compris les recherches comparatives – font généralement défaut.
Le rapport de la l’Agence des droits fondamentaux de l’Union européenne (FRA) se penche par conséquent sur les différents types de difficultés rencontrées par les OSC actives dans
le domaine des droits de l’homme au sein de l’Union européenne.
18
January
2018
Organizacije civilnog društva u Europskoj uniji igraju važnu ulogu u promicanju temeljnih prava, no to im je sve teže činiti iz zakonskih i praktičnih razloga. Iako postoje izazovi u svim
državama članicama EU-a, točna priroda i opseg tih izazova razlikuju se. Općenito govoreći, nedostaju podatci i istraživanja o tom problemu, uključujući komparativna istraživanja.
Izvještaj FRA-e stoga se osvrće na različite vrste i obrasce izazova s kojima se suočavaju organizacije civilnog društva koje se bave ljudskim pravima u EU-u.
18
January
2018
Nell’Unione europea le organizzazioni della società civile svolgono un ruolo cruciale nella promozione dei diritti fondamentali, ma incontrano ora maggiori difficoltà a causa di restrizioni giuridiche e pratiche. Sebbene presenti in tutti gli Stati membri dell’Unione, le difficoltà variano da un paese a un altro in relazione all’esatta natura ed entità. In generale, mancano dati e ricerche in materia, compresa la ricerca comparata.
La relazione della FRA esamina quindi i diversi tipi ed esempi di difficoltà incontrate dalle organizzazioni della società civile attive nel settore dei diritti umani nell’Unione.
18
January
2018
Pilsoniskās sabiedrības organizācijām Eiropas Savienībā ir būtiska nozīme pamattiesību veicināšanā, taču tām ir arvien grūtāk to darīt dažādu juridisku un praktisku ierobežojumu dēļ.
Lai arī problēmas ir visās ES dalībvalstīs, to būtība un apjoms atšķiras. Kopumā trūkst datu un pētījumu par šo tēmu, tostarp salīdzinošu pētījumu.
Tāpēc FRA ziņojumā tiek aprakstītas dažādu veidu problēmas, ar ko saskaras pilsoniskās sabiedrības organizācijas, kuru darbs ir saistīts ar cilvēktiesību aizsardzību ES.
18
January
2018
Pilietinės visuomenės organizacijos Europos Sąjungoje atlieka esminį vaidmenį skatindamos pagrindines teises, bet dėl teisinių ir praktinių suvaržymų joms tai daryti tapo sunkiau.
Nors sunkumų patiriama visose ES valstybėse narėse, jų pobūdis ir mastas labai nevienodi. Iš esmės šiuo klausimu nėra duomenų ir neatlikta tyrimų (nei lyginamųjų tyrimų).
Todėl FRA ataskaitoje nagrinėjamos įvairios sunkumų, su kuriais susiduria pilietinės visuomenės organizacijos, veikiančios žmogaus teisių srityje ES, rūšys ir pobūdis.
On 13 October, FRA brought together the National Liaison Officers network.
FRA’s Director was in Italy for a series of meetings on 19-20 October to discuss setting up Italy’s National Human Rights Institution.
FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2021 reviews major developments in fundamental rights protection, identifying achievements and areas of concern.
FRA launched its new Charter e-learning courses. These courses provide judges and other legal practitioners with practical guidance on when and how the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights applies at the national level. It includes the Charter e-guidance.
Two days of stimulating discussions, over 145 different sessions, 6 locations – that was the Fundamental Rights Forum 2021 in a nutshell. With over 3,000 people joining the Forum in Vienna and online, it was the biggest human rights event in Europe this year.
Today at the Fundamental Rights Forum 2021, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) together with representatives of several European cities unveils a new Framework for Human Rights Cities in the EU.
FRA held a webinar with its civil society network, the Fundamental Rights Platform to present its ‘Protecting civic space in the EU’ report.
On 28 September, FRA issued an update of its data on the accreditation status and mandates of National Human Rights Institutions.
FRA’s Management Board elected Rick Lawson as its new Vice-Chair on 24 September. He will take office on 11 October.
Staff from intergovernmental organisations and EU institutions responsible for cooperation with civil society and for supporting human rights defenders met online on 23 September.
FRA’s Director was in France to discuss topical human rights issues and to explore continued cooperation, in particular during the upcoming French Presidency of the EU.
Civil society organisations across the EU provide services, engage in communities, raise awareness, advocate on behalf of others and hold authorities to account. But they face threats, attacks, funding cuts and disproportionate restrictions. These are just some of the challenges human rights civil society organisations face in some parts of the EU, and the Coronavirus pandemic has worsened their working conditions, highlights a new report from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). FRA calls on policymakers to foster a more conducive working environment for civil society, helping to realise all human rights for all.
FRA held a webinar on 16 September with over 50 civil society organisations from its Fundamental Rights Platform.
FRA spoke at an anniversary event of La Strada International about civic space challenges in the EU for human rights civil society organisations.
FRA joined an online meeting of Swedish cities, regions, and other local-level stakeholders on human rights.
The FRA Director was in Brussels from 1 to 3 September to present the Fundamental Rights Report 2021 to the European Parliament’s Committee for Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).
The year 2020 brought both progress and setbacks in terms of fundamental rights protection.
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’s Fundamental Rights Survey explored what people understand, know and experience with respect to their fundamental rights in practice.
FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty addressed the European Economic and Social Committee’s Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship Section on 21 June. He presented different FRA tools that can support EESC members in their work.
The Young Bled Strategic Forum will host the third Fundamental Rights Dialogue. It takes place in Bled, Slovenia, on 31 August.
FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty and the Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić agreed and exchanged letters on further developing cooperation for the European Union Fundamental Rights Information System (EFRIS). EFRIS brings together data about the acceptance of human rights treaties as well as assessment by monitoring mechanisms.
FRA’s Director Michael O’Flaherty will meet Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, in Vienna on 5 July. They will discuss how to further strengthen cooperation between FRA and ODIHR and exchange views on respective current and future priorities.
On 30 June, FRA will present key findings from its Fundamental Rights Report 2021 during a workshop organized by the European Policy Institute in North Macedonia, the agency’s research contractor in the country. North Macedonia’s Minister of Justice, its observers to FRA’s Management Board and National Liaison Officer will join the event.
FRA will speak on 22 June during an online workshop on human rights-based public services.
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The FRA Director will visit the Netherlands from 23 to 25 June. He will meet the head of the European Commission Representation in The Hague, Didier Herbert, representatives of civil society organisations and FRA’s Dutch Management Board member, Rick Lawson on 23 June.
FRA invites Slovenian civil society organisations active in its civil society network, the Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP), for an online exchange on 18 June.
On 10 June, FRA will launch its Fundamental Rights Report 2021. The report reviews the main developments of human rights protection in the EU in 2020. This year’s focus section outlines the importance of a rights-based approach in dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic and its consequences.
On 4 June, the EU Delegation to Albania brings together key stakeholders from Albania for a webinar.
FRA’s Director will speak during the opening session of the World Conference of the International Ombudsman Institute.
FRA will host a national round-table discussion on 25 May on the role of the EU Fundamental Rights Charter in the EU. The European Commission Representation in Poland is FRA’s partner for the event.
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Over two days, human rights communicators will gather for their annual network meeting to share know-how and expertise. This year, the focus will be on tackling disinformation.
FRA will speak at the German Child and Youth Welfare Congress (Deutscher Jugendhilfetag), Europe’s biggest child and youth welfare summit, on 18 May.
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FRA will take part in the Council of Europe’s discussions on the central role National Human Rights Institutions play in promoting and protecting human rights in Europe.
On 21 April, the Association of Polish cities will host a virtual event for mayors and vice-mayors.
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On 22 and 23 March, FRA’s National Liaison Officers (NLOs) will come together via video conference to discuss FRA’s cooperation with EU Member States.
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UNECE will hold an online workshop on poverty measurement from 25 to 26 March. FRA will present innovative approaches put into practice by various EU Member States. The workshop aims to provide hands-on training and address the capacity-building needs expressed by countries on adapting their surveys.
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FRA will present findings from its recent artificial intelligence and fundamental rights report during a two-day training webinar.
On 17 March, FRA will present selected findings from its surveys during the European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS) General Assembly and Annual Conference.
FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty will be one of the inaugural speakers at an event to discuss challenges and the future for civil society organisations during and after COVID-19.