Fundamental Rights Agency

Press release - Fundamental rights report finds threats to key freedoms, equality and dignity

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 19, 2024
Speech, Woman, Association, Refugee, Person, Society, Police, Corruption, AI, Risk, Crime, Parliament, LGBTIQ, TEU, Fundamental Rights Agency, Racism, European Council, Industry, Xenophobia, Violence, Poverty, Drug

The report on the state of fundamental rights in the EU was approved with 391 votes in favour, 130 against, and 20 abstentions.

Key Points: 
  • The report on the state of fundamental rights in the EU was approved with 391 votes in favour, 130 against, and 20 abstentions.
  • MEPs call for justice for the killing of journalists and welcome the agreement on the media freedom act.
  • poverty and social exclusion, digital poverty); and
    - improving institutional safeguards (including establishing the Fundamental Rights Agency as an independent human rights authority).
  • Quote
    Rapporteur Katarina Barley (S&D, Germany) commented: “Fundamental rights violations are widespread in EU member states.

Highlights - FRA report - Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023
Fundamental Rights Agency, EU, Intelligence, European Parliament, Fundamental rights, European, FRA, Pegasus

FRA report

Key Points: 
  • FRA report
    02-06-2023 - 13:39
    European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has recently published a report on 'Surveillance by intelligence services: fundamental rights safeguards and remedies in the EU' - 2023 update - which was prepared at the request of the European Parliament to support the work of its committee of inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA).

RECOMMENDATION on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights - A9-0227/2021

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 2, 2021
Countries, Government, Europe, European Union, Euro, Anti-Islam sentiment, Discrimination in Europe, Fundamental Rights Agency, Treaties of the European Union, Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, Treaty of Lisbon, Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

Key Points: 
  • on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

    (COM(2020)0225 C90243/2021 2020/0112(APP))

    (Special legislative procedure consent)

    The European Parliament,

    having regard to the proposal for a Council regulation (COM(2020)0225),

    having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article352 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C90243/2021),

    having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 20 May 2021 on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights[1].

  • In its Interim Report adopted on 20 May 2021, the Parliament recalled how much it values the outstanding role played by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) in providing information, assistance and expertise on fundamental right issues and in defending and protecting of fundamental rights in the EU.
  • The proposed completion of the revision of the Agencys mandate and operating rules is therefore most welcome, in line with EUs institutional changes since the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty.
  • The text on which the Parliament is asked to provide its consent is however less ambitious than what our institution would have expected.

Highlights - EMPL Committee meeting on 14 and 15 June 2021 - Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 7, 2021
Organizations, Agencies of the European Union, Articles, Continents, European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Helena Dalli, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Fundamental Rights Agency, European Union

On 14 June, the EMPL Committee will hold exchanges of views with Juan Menndez-Valds, EU-OSHA Executive Director-nominee, and with representatives of the European Commission on the introduction of a European Social Security Number.

Key Points: 
  • On 14 June, the EMPL Committee will hold exchanges of views with Juan Menndez-Valds, EU-OSHA Executive Director-nominee, and with representatives of the European Commission on the introduction of a European Social Security Number.
  • On 15 June, EMPL Members will hold the annual Structured Dialogue with Helena Dalli, Commissioner for Equality, and Michael O'Flaherty, Director of the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency, will present the opinion 'Equality in the EU 20 years on from the initial implementation of the equality directives'.
  • Moreover, the Committee will adopt the question for oral answer on the social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and will hold a joint meeting with the Delegation for Relations with the Pan-African Parliament to discuss the topic 'EU-Africa: facing social and economic challenges together'.

Using EU funds to address fundamental rights migration challenges

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Organizations, Articles, International organizations, Confederations, European Union, Fundamental Rights Agency

FRA presented areas where EU funding could help address fundamental rights challenges in the field of asylum, borders and immigration.

Key Points: 
  • FRA presented areas where EU funding could help address fundamental rights challenges in the field of asylum, borders and immigration.
  • This could support Member States om their the implementation of EU law safeguards as they prepare their multiannual programmes under the new migration and security funds.
  • FRA gave the presentation during a European Commission workshop on 10 February.
  • FRA highlighted issues relating to child protection, the integration of migrants and refugees, fundamental rights monitoring at borders and the implementation of EU law safeguards when setting up new large-scale information technology systems.

Technological advances and data protection should go hand-in-hand

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Data security, Data protection, Information privacy, Privacy law, Articles, General Data Protection Regulation, In Europe, Fundamental Rights Agency, Max Schrems, Pseudonymization

But as technology advances, so should data protection safeguards.

Key Points: 
  • But as technology advances, so should data protection safeguards.
  • For this years Data Protection Day, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) highlights data protection challenges to ensure our rights are upheld.
  • There is greater need for more clarity and strong data protection safeguards as more and more industries and technologies rely on data.
  • Yet, the 2020 review of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) shows that approaches to data protection still differ across the EU.

Remember the past to build a better, more inclusive future

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Articles, Education, Accessibility, Critical pedagogy, Education reform, Inclusion, Philosophy of education, Special education, European Union, Intolerance, Fundamental Rights Agency, Horror

Championing inclusion and tolerance towards others serves to honour their memory, says the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

Key Points: 
  • Championing inclusion and tolerance towards others serves to honour their memory, says the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
  • The hardships and worries caused by the long-running COVID-19 pandemic are creating the conditions for intolerance to spread.
  • It reduces the number of people who can recount the horrors of the past first hand.
  • It should be a poignant time to learn from the past and build for a better, more inclusive future.

Update on Mediterranean migrant search and rescue

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Seas, Continents, Agencies of the European Union, Anti-Islam sentiment, Discrimination, European Union, Fundamental Rights Agency, Search and rescue, Mediterranean Sea, Landforms, European migrant crisis

On International Migrants Day on 18 December, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights outlines the difficulties that civil society rescue efforts in the Mediterranean continue to face.

Key Points: 
  • On International Migrants Day on 18 December, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights outlines the difficulties that civil society rescue efforts in the Mediterranean continue to face.
  • Since 2018, some EU national authorities restrict civil society rescue operations.
  • According to thelatest FRA update on NGO search and rescue in the Mediterranean, there are 15 NGO ships and planes involved.
  • The update also provides an overview of legal developments, including open and closed proceedings, since 2017 until 15 December 2020.

Now is the time to ensure artificial intelligence works for Europeans

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 14, 2020
Articles, Science and technology, Academic disciplines, Artificial intelligence, Computational neuroscience, Cybernetics, Ai, Fundamental Rights Agency, Regulation of artificial intelligence

From tracking the spread of COVID-19 to deciding who will receive social benefits, artificial intelligence (AI) affects the lives of millions of Europeans.

Key Points: 
  • From tracking the spread of COVID-19 to deciding who will receive social benefits, artificial intelligence (AI) affects the lives of millions of Europeans.
  • A new EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) report reveals confusion about the impact of AI on peoples rights.
  • FRA calls on policymakers to provide more guidance on how existing rules apply to AI and ensure any future AI laws protect fundamental rights.
  • It calls on the EU and EU countries to:

    The report is part of FRAs project on artificial intelligence and big data.

Migration: Fundamental rights challenges at borders

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Organizations, Articles, International organizations, European Union law, Fundamental Rights Agency, European Union, Fundamental rights in India

Today, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) publishes a report on fundamental rights issues at external land borders.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) publishes a report on fundamental rights issues at external land borders.
  • FRAs report Migration: Fundamental rights issues at land borders first describes the applicable EU law governing border controls.
  • It then clarifies how EU countries duty to protect their borders can affect fundamental rights.
  • To ensure full respect for fundamental rights at the EU external borders, FRA suggests: