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The COVID-19 pandemic is a grave and immense threat to the health of humanity. Governments take urgent measures to curb its spread to safeguard public health and provide medical care to those who need it. They are acting to defend the human rights of health and of life itself. Inevitably, these measures limit our human and fundamental rights to an extent rarely experienced in peacetime. It is important to ensure that such limitations are consistent with our legal safeguards and that their impact on particular groups is adequately taken account of.
On 16 March, FRA took part in an online seminar by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) on the identification of vulnerable people and victim protection during initial registration at external borders.
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FRA joined a virtual meeting on 23 March with civil society organisations to discuss their views on the agency’s suggested Roma inclusion indicators.
Five EU Member States volunteered to review implementation of the sustainable development goals in their countries in 2020.
Greece needs solid, sustained support and solidarity as it faces great migration challenges, says FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty after 2 days of meetings in Athens with authorities.
The large earthquake that hit Croatia on 22 March adds further strain to stretched emergency services already fighting the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world. FRA offers its solidarity to Croatia and particularly to Ombudswoman Lora Vidović whose offices were badly damaged in the earthquake.
While ever more countries introduce measures to counter the current health risks, it is important to remember that societies based on solidarity and inclusion are more resilient to fast-changing circumstances, said the heads of three European human rights institutions on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
While recognising the very real threat to health and life that the COVID-19 virus poses, and the duty of the State to ensure the public’s health, FRA is undertaking a rapid research exercise on the impact of responses to the virus with respect to people’s fundamental rights - such as freedom of movement and assembly.
Thousands of unaccompanied children in Greece are living in conditions that are completely unsuitable – without adequate housing, exposed to the cold weather, facing insecurity and even violence. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) welcomes the initiative of the European Commission and some Member States to relocate these unaccompanied children.
On 16 March, FRA will be a panellist at an event on internal and external rule of law challenges for the European Union.
In this edition of his vlog, Michael O'Flaherty talks about the human rights aspects in the context of the Corona virus epidemic.
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Women throughout the EU face inequalities – because of their ethnicity, the colour of their skin, their immigration background or simply because they are women. International Women's Day on 8 March is a reminder of the need to challenge stereotypes and work towards a world where we all have equal opportunities.
FRA attended a workshop of representatives of migrant detention centres in Luxembourg on 28 February.
FRA presented its work on the European arrest warrant, mutual trust and criminal detention during Council of the EU discussions on 24 February in Brussels.
FRA and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights facilitated a workshop for law enforcement officers and other relevant partners in Ireland from 26 to 27 February.
FRA provided training for Croatian border guards as part of its cooperation with the Croatian Presidency of the EU Council.
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FRA will take part in the closing conference of the OSCE's Effective Criminal Justice Strategies and Practices to Combat Gender-based Violence in Eastern Europe project.
FRA will give a presentation on the agency's work to develop human rights indicators at a seminar in Helsinki.
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FRA will join the Council of Europe’s steering committee for human rights (CDDH) meeting.