The seminar was the first in a series of three, following up on the European Commission’s recent report on the application of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter and civic space.
The multistakeholder meeting proposed ways forward on how EU institutions can support and protect civil society organisations and human rights defenders.
FRA presented the need for a ‘holistic protection’ approach. This would cover legal issues including protection from SLAPPs, meaningful participation, financial sustainability, digital and physical security, protection from reputational attacks and verbal threats, resilience, mental health and capacity building.
