Newsroom

Civil society organisations in the European Union are still facing threats, due to laws, lack of funding and limited access to decision-making. But the latest findings from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) also reveal growing awareness and support to enable civil society better promote human rights and democracy.

On 12 October, FRA ran an online consultation on FRA’s work on the rights of people with disabilities.

FRA presented an overview of civic space challenges in the EU at the conference ‘Where do we stand with the European civil society strategy?’.

The EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) held the final meetings of the working groups drafting standards and indicators on reception conditions and on asylum seekers in vulnerable situations.

FRA took part in the 11th meeting of the EU High Level group on combating hate speech and hate crime.

FRA’s Director was in Ireland from 26 to 27 September, where he gave a speech on protecting human rights in the digital age.

FRA held a webinar with CEPOL for law enforcement officers and prosecutors when in contact with children who are suspected or accused of crime.

FRA facilitated the equality data subgroup’s country visit to Finland. The visit took place on 9 October in Helsinki.

On 6 October, the EU Coordinator on Rights of the Child hosted European Commission representatives and EU Agencies for an update on the stage of implementation of the EU Strategy on the rights of the child.

FRA took part in the Annual Event of the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security and a meeting of its Steering Group.

Practical tools to support guardians represent unaccompanied migrant children are now available. The two new booklets from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) aim to equip guardians with the knowledge and support they need when interacting with EU asylum and reception authorities.

Over 28,100 people have died or been lost at sea in the Mediterranean since 2014 trying to reach safety. These figures from the International Organization for Migration underline the human tragedy haunting Europe. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) tracks the ongoing struggles civil society face rescuing people in distress in the Mediterranean Sea.

FRA presented its report on how to prevent and respond to deaths at sea to the European Contact Group on Search and Rescue on 2 October.

FRA took part in the 2023 International Digital Security Forum in Vienna on 20 September.