Newsroom

Press Release
Asylum, migration and borders

FRA Report “Coping with a fundamental rights emergency – The situation of persons crossing the Greek land border in an irregular manner”

Today the Fundamental Rights Agency is publishing a report about the fundamental rights situation of persons entering Greece irregularly at its land border with Turkey. This report is based on field research in the Evros region in January 2011.
Video

EU Fundamental Rights Agency in one minute

This video gives a brief overview of the FRA and its work.
Video

EC Vice President Viviane Reding visits the FRA

Vice President of the European Commission Viviane Reding visited the FRA on 18 February 2011.
Video

FRA celebrates International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day takes place on 21 February each year.
Press Release
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
People with disabilities
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

First ever EU-wide results on multiple discrimination experienced by minorities

Today the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is publishing its findings on multiple discrimination at the European Union agencies exhibition "The way ahead", held at the European Parliament. The findings show that people belonging to 'visible' minorities, such as Roma and people of African origin, are more likely to suffer multiple discrimination – that is, being discriminated on more than one ground - than other minorities. Another relevant ground for discrimination that could increase the experience of multiple discrimination are socio-economic factors such as living with a low income.
Video

Speeches from the Fundamental Rights Conference 2010

A selection of speeches and keynote addresses from the Fundamental Rights Conference 2010.
Video

Children have their say - opening of the Fundamental Rights Conference 2010

Children present the results of a workshop organised by the FRA in cooperation with Eurochild at the Fundamental Rights Conference 2010 in Brussels.
Video

Respect unlimited - Diversity Day 2010

Around 2,500 youngsters took part in the 2010 Diversity Day in Vienna.
News Item
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

The practice of ‘phallometric testing’ for gay asylum seekers

The practice of 'phallometric testing' consists in verifying the physical reaction to heterosexual pornographic material of gay men who have filed a claim for asylum on the basis of homosexual orientation. The test is performed by a professional sexologist and, in principle, only with the person's written consent, and once that person has been informed about the technique of the examination. This raises serious questions regarding the compliance of this practice with existing human rights standards.
News Item

The rights of children in the EU: two new FRA reports published

The FRA has published two new reports to coincide with the first day of its annual Fundamental Rights Conference which this year looks into ensuring justice and protection for children.
Press Release

Statement by FRA Director Morten Kjaerum on the occasion of World AIDS Day

On World AIDS Day 2010, FRA Director Morten Kjaerum emphasises the importance of taking a rights-based approach to responding to HIV and AIDS. 
Press Release
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

Combating homophobia, transphobia and discrimination: EU countries moving at different speeds

Today the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) presents its report on Homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity to Members of the European Parliament. The FRA report reveals that in some EU Member States, legislation and practice is increasing the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons, while in others the rights of LGBT persons are being restricted or neglected. This creates an uneven landscape in the protection of LGBT rights throughout Europe.
Video

Video address by Viviane Reding

Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, delivered this video address to the conference on "Implementing fundamental rights at the local and regional level following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty".
Press Release

‘Respect unlimited’ — interact, contribute ideas and have a say at Diversity Day, an event for young people organised by the FRA in Vienna

On 24 November, the topics of diversity and equal opportunities will take centre stage at the Vienna Town Hall. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is organising Diversity Day for the fourth time in cooperation with the City of Vienna (Youth Department) and the Vienna School Board.
Press Release

Joint statement ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Joint statement ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by the FRA and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).
Press Release
Sex, sexual orientation and gender

Combating gender-based violence and enforcing gender mainstreaming in the EU

The European Institute for Gender Equality and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights sign a cooperation agreement in line with the new EU strategy for gender equality 2010-2015.
Press Release

The FRA participates in the Fourth Equality Summit

The FRA participates in the Fourth Equality Summit held in Brussels on 15 and 16 November 2010. This Summit is an annual, high-level event focusing on equality. This year the event will concentrate on combating discrimination and promoting equality in employment.
Press Release

Understanding the Holocaust through human rights education: FRA Handbook for teachers

To mark this year's anniversary of "the night of the broken glass", the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) publishes a handbook for teachers: Excursion to the past - teaching for the future. The handbook emphasises the link between teaching about the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes, and teaching about human rights and democracy. Teachers and guides of memorial sites or museums are key to ensuring that the connection is recognised between Holocaust and human rights education. However, there is a lack of human rights training available for both groups. The FRA thus encourages national governments to better integrate education on the Holocaust and human rights into their school curricula to reflect the significance of human rights in both the history and the future of the EU.
Press Release
People with disabilities

If your vote is not counted, do you not count?

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has today published a report on the right to political participation of persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities in the European Union (EU). The right to vote is a fundamental right of all EU citizens. However, in some Member States persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities are discriminated against, since they are not granted this right.
Press Release
Equality, non-discrimination and racism

No level playing field: racism and discrimination in sport in the EU

The FRA will today present its new report on racism, ethnic discrimination and the exclusion of migrants and minorities in sport in the European Union. Delegates at the 16th European Fair Play Congress in Prague will discuss the report's findings, including the need to make sport more inclusive and ways of addressing the underrepresentation of persons belonging to minorities in sport. The FRA report also highlights the lack of data available showing the occurrence of racist incidents in sport. It emphasises the need to develop effective ways of monitoring such incidents among players, referees and club officials, as well as between or by fans.