Systems

Support for human rights systems and defenders

Many organisations work to defend your rights. We help their efforts with independent evidence, advice and expertise.

We support their frontline work. And we shine a light on potential risks and priority areas. Together we make your rights a reality.

    Publications and Data

    Publications and Data

    Displaying results 1 - 10 of 139
    Report / Paper / Summary
    30
    March
    2026
    Civic space is a crucial component of democracy and of societies founded on respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law. Civil society organisations across the EU face increasing pressure that limits their ability to operate. This report presents FRA opinions on how EU Member States can better protect civic space and support civil society organisations in safeguarding fundamental rights. The findings are based on data and information collected by FRANET, FRA’s multidisciplinary research network, and FRA’s consultation with CSOs participating in its Fundamental Rights Platform. It is complemented by desk research, interviews, stakeholder meetings and exchanges with intergovernmental organisations. It covers all EU Member States, as well as Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia.
    Video
    The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the state of fundamental rights in the European Union, highlighting major developments and trends in 2024. This video provides an insight into the issues covered by this year's report.
    Report / Paper / Summary
    12
    December
    2025
    As the EU prepares to join the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), this report outlines the main changes that accession would bring, offering an overview of the legal and operational implications. Presented in a Q&A format, it provides answers to 19 key questions for legal professionals and a broader audience. It describes the steps needed to conclude accession, the expected benefits for protecting rights, and some of the challenges that may come up. This legal analysis contributes to the current discussions on EU accession.
    Report / Paper / Summary
    8
    December
    2025
    This report examines how human rights impact assessments (HRIAs) are built into lawmaking across the EU and its Member States. It highlights that, although progress has been made, the use of HRIAs remains uneven and often superficial. In many EU countries, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is frequently overlooked. The report identifies insufficient consultation with external experts, limited stakeholder participation and a lack of evaluation once laws are in force. To address these gaps, it offers practical recommendations for more systematic, inclusive and evidence-based HRIAs that strengthen human rights protection and ensure better, more accountable legislation throughout the EU.
    Fundamental Rights Report
    10
    June
    2025
    This publication is an excerpt from the Fundamental Rights Report 2025, the annual report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). It presents selected critical developments in fundamental rights in 2024, as well as the key findings and FRA opinions from the report’s chapters.
    Fundamental Rights Report
    10
    June
    2025
    The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 is the annual report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). It provides an overview of the state of fundamental rights in the EU and highlights selected critical developments and trends in 2024. The report covers issues such as inclusive elections, gender-based violence, and the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. It presents FRA’s opinions on these developments, setting out the actions that the EU and Member States should take. This annual publication is a valuable resource for those seeking to stay informed about the EU’s shifting landscape of fundamental rights.
    Periodic updates / Series
    29
    April
    2025
    National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) play an important role in providing independent human rights protection in EU Member States. Since 2020, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has been tracking the accreditation status and mandates of NHRIs across the EU. The 2025 annual update continues this work. These updates examine whether NHRIs are involved in monitoring compliance with fundamental rights in the use of EU funds, and how they use the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights when advising governments or carrying out education, training, and awareness-raising activities.
    Video
    This FRF theme examines key challenges such as tackling disinformation, widening participation, protecting protests, sustaining civil society, ensuring political transparency, safeguarding institutions, and resisting the erosion of fundamental rights. Notable speakers include Emily O'Reilly, former European Ombudsman, Didier Reynders, former EU Commissioner for Justice, Alma Zadić, Austria's former Federal Minister of Justice, and Lilian Thuram, President of the Lilian Thuram Foundation - Education against racism, among others.
    Video
    The Fundamental Rights Forum (FRF) is a unique space for dialogue, bringing together diverse voices to tackle Europe’s most pressing human rights challenges. By uniting thinkers, creators and decision makers, the Forum sparks fresh ideas and solutions for a more just future.
    Fundamental Rights Report
    5
    June
    2024
    FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2024 analyses the year’s developments in fundamental rights. It focuses on the most pressing fundamental rights concerns facing Europe in 2023: the cost-of-living crisis, rights concerns at the EU’s external borders and migration, and threats to democracy. Re-structured, this year’s new approach is a shorter and sharper analysis. It also presents FRA’s opinions on these developments, including a summary of the evidence supporting these opinions.

    Multimedia

    Displaying results 1 - 10 of 52
    Video
    The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the state of fundamental rights in the European Union, highlighting major developments and trends in 2024. This video provides an insight into the issues covered by this year's report.
    Video
    This FRF theme examines key challenges such as tackling disinformation, widening participation, protecting protests, sustaining civil society, ensuring political transparency, safeguarding institutions, and resisting the erosion of fundamental rights. Notable speakers include Emily O'Reilly, former European Ombudsman, Didier Reynders, former EU Commissioner for Justice, Alma Zadić, Austria's former Federal Minister of Justice, and Lilian Thuram, President of the Lilian Thuram Foundation - Education against racism, among others.
    Video
    The Fundamental Rights Forum (FRF) is a unique space for dialogue, bringing together diverse voices to tackle Europe’s most pressing human rights challenges. By uniting thinkers, creators and decision makers, the Forum sparks fresh ideas and solutions for a more just future.
    Video
    Highlights from the Fundamental Rights Forum 2024 that took place in Vienna on 11-12 March.
    Video
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty talks about the need to push back against the shocking levels of human rights abuse and violation across the world. On the occasion of Human Rights Day, he refers to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the need to standing up for human rights.
    Video
    In this video, human rights leaders, experts and activists share their views on the human rights impact of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
    Video
    In this video, several human rights leaders, experts and activists share their views on the impact of disinformation on human rights and the ways to address this phenomenon.
    Video
    In this vlog, FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty talks about the EU’s response to the war in Ukraine. He argues that it is only if we all work together, with human rights as our roadmap, that we can make our way towards a peaceful future.
    Video
    In the internet age, information travels faster and further than ever before. But so does disinformation, feeding off rumours, prejudices and stereotypes. How can we tackle it? Watch FRA’s practical guide on how to go about tackling disinformation using +INPUT – be positive, identify, narrate, pioneer, unite and track.
    Video
    The Fundamental Rights Forum is the space for dialogue on human rights challenges facing the EU today.

    Events

    Displaying results 1 - 10 of 238
    Event
    The second workshop of the FRA survey review will take place on 27 March at the Agency. It brings together the contractor, FRA and the external steering committee of eight independent survey experts.
    Event
    FRA’s community of EU Fundamental Rights Charter experts will hold their annual meeting online on 25 March.
    Event
    Albania currently chairs the OSCE’s Human Dimension Committee. On 23 March, Ambassador Eglantina Gjermeni, Permanent Representative of Albania to the OSCE will come to the Agency to meet FRA Director Sirpa Rautio.
    Event
    On 23 March, FRA Director Sirpa Rautio will meet the Head of the Council of Europe’s Liaison Office in Vienna, Ambassador Gerhard Doujak at the Agency.
    Event
    FRA and the European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX) will hold its 2024 Annual Dialogue on ‘integrating fundamental rights into local decisions, policies and service-delivery’.
    Event
    On 16 March, FRA Director Sirpa Rautio will meet with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media Jan Braathu at the Agency in Vienna.
    Event
    On 23 March, FRA Director Sirpa Rautio will meet with the Head of the Council of Europe’s Liaison Office in Vienna, Ambassador Gerhard Doujak at the Agency.
    Event
    -
    FRA and the OECD will host the regional meeting of the OECD Civic Space Network for Public Officials at the Agency in Vienna from 18 to 19 March. The meeting responds to growing pressures on civic space and the increasing demand for open, transparent and accountable governance.
    Event
    FRA will speak during a European Parliament hearing on 'Protecting and empowering civil society: strengthening support and ensuring transparency'.
    Event
    The Agency’s Executive Board will meet online on 13 March.