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
    12
    December
    2025
    As the EU prepares to join the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), this report outlines the main changes that accession would bring, offering an overview of the legal and operational implications. Presented in a Q&A format, it provides answers to 19 key questions for legal professionals and a broader audience. It describes the steps needed to conclude accession, the expected benefits for protecting rights, and some of the challenges that may come up. This legal analysis contributes to the current discussions on EU accession.
  • Report / Paper / Summary
    8
    December
    2025
    This report examines how human rights impact assessments (HRIAs) are built into lawmaking across the EU and its Member States. It highlights that, although progress has been made, the use of HRIAs remains uneven and often superficial. In many EU countries, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is frequently overlooked. The report identifies insufficient consultation with external experts, limited stakeholder participation and a lack of evaluation once laws are in force. To address these gaps, it offers practical recommendations for more systematic, inclusive and evidence-based HRIAs that strengthen human rights protection and ensure better, more accountable legislation throughout the EU.
  • 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.
    Publications and data
    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.
    15
    December
    2017
    This meeting report distils the discussions held during a high-level expert meeting organised by FRA, which explored the shared space between religion and human rights.
    11
    October
    2017
    The agency organised a high-level expert meeting in Vienna on 29-30 May 2017, bringing together participants from different EU Member States and horizons, including: human rights and fine arts academics; museum staff; curators; representatives of civil society organisations focusing on artistic freedom; and artists from the fields of photography, visual arts, comics, choreography, literature and music.
    FRA presented findings from its report on ‘EU funds: Ensuring compliance with fundamental rights’ to a committee of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). It brings together a government representative from all Member States, and representatives of workers' organisations and employers' organisations.
    The Concluding Conference Statement on the role of National Human Rights Institutions in implementing the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter is now available. The conference took place in Brussels from 21-22 March.
    FRA released its practical guidance for Human Rights Cities in 14 additional EU languages. The guidance provides hands-on support and advice to cities and other forms of local authorities wishing to improve their efforts to respect, protect and promote human rights.
    Immediately after the Fundamental Rights Forum, on 12 and 13 March the Scientific Committee met in Vienna. The Scientific Committee meeting provided the first opportunity for the Committee to meet the new FRA Director Sirpa Rautio.
    On 5 March, FRA took part in a webinar, organised by the Prime Minister’s Office, launching the Finnish website on fundamental and human rights indicators. The website will monitor the implementation of fundamental rights in Finland.
    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.
    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).