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There are many reasons why adults may find themselves in a situation of vulnerability - because of their age, health or disability. Vulnerable people are at greater risk of unfair treatment, exploitation or abuse. And cross-border settings can lead to additional obstacles. It's time to address these challenges and identify the needs of vulnerable adults so everyone can enjoy their fundamental rights.
Michael O'Flaherty
FRA Director, Michael O'Flaherty, delivered a speech during a panel debate reflecting on the current situation facing vulnerable adults and the way forward. The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU hosted the high-level conference on protecting vulnerable adults across Europe. It took place on 30 March 2021.

FRA Director will deliver a keynote speech during a high-level online conference on protecting vulnerable adults across Europe. The conference provides an opportunity to reflect on the current situation and look ahead to what steps are necessary to ensure that all members of our diverse societies can enjoy their fundamental rights, including equal access to justice.
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On 30 March, FRA will join the European Commission’s regular dialogue with civil society and international partners on Roma inclusion, integration and equality. FRA will provide an update on developments related to its work with civil society, the Roma working party and its Roma survey.
FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty, in his latest vlog, reflects on the migration situation at the EU’s external borders. He highlights the need for sustained joined-up efforts from all relevant bodies, including civil society, to protect the wellbeing and human rights of migrants. He underlines the importance of working with local communities as we receive migrants into our communities. He also points to room for improvement is our treatment of unaccompanied children.
FRA will join round-table discussions on identifying and preventing the discriminatory impact of artificial intelligence.
On 24 March, FRA took part in a webinar organised by the European Network of Ombudsmen on AI and e-government in public administrations.
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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.
Youth for Exchange and Understanding is organising an event to raise awareness among young people about systemic discrimination.
The FRA Director will address a meeting of the German Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid to mark the 20th anniversary of the German Institute for Human Rights (GIHR).
FRA will join panel discussions on 23 March during Spain’s anti-racist week, organised by its Ministry of Equality.
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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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FRA will give a presentation at the online conference ‘Three Decades of Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics in Europe: Methods, Trends and the Impact on Policy Making’.
Last week, FRA's Director visited Ljubljana from 15 to 18 March to discuss assistance during the upcoming EU Presidency of Slovenia.
The pandemic poses unprecedented challenges for governments, health systems and societies at large, with many people in despair. We also witnessed solidarity with generosity, care and commitment towards the most vulnerable. This crisis offers us a unique opportunity to create more inclusive and equal societies, said the heads of four human rights institutions ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
FRA’s Director Michael O’Flaherty will introduce the opening high-level panel at the first European Summit against Racism, as foreseen in the EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025.
The Consultative Forum of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) issued its fundamental rights considerations to the Frontex Management Board Working Group on Fundamental Rights and Legal Operational Aspects of Operations in the Aegean Sea.
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The Preventing unlawful profiling today and in the future guide is now also available in Dutch and Greek. It explains what profiling is, the legal frameworks that regulate it, and why conducting profiling lawfully is both necessary to comply with fundamental rights and crucial for effective policing and border management.
On 12 March, FRA participated in an online roundtable organised by regional authorities in Catalonia responsible for the protection of unaccompanied children. Several NGOs, medical associations, trade unions and child protection authorities of different cities participated.
FRA spoke about findings from its research on community living for people with disabilities during a public hearing on the deinstitutionalisation of people with disabilities. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held the hearing on 16 March as it prepares a new report on the issue. FRA mentioned steps that Member States could take to enable people with disabilities to live independently in the community with choices equal to others.