EU countries must act to protect fundamental rights

EU countries must act to protect fundamental rights from attack, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has said in its 2017 report.

The report, marking ten years since the agency was established, says there is still not a fundamental rights culture across institutions and societies.

FRA director Michael O’Flaherty said: “We have the laws and the structures to protect human rights in the EU, but we are losing people’s trust that they will deliver.”

He added: “We have to give a robust reply to those who challenge the very system of rights protection and demonstrate to people that human rights make a better society for everyone.

“We need rights to fight the massive inequalities that plague society, such as child poverty and violence against women, and ensure justice for all.”

The report proposes to use the “full potential” of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in national legislation and case law, to counter the erosion in the commitment to fundamental rights and values, and to support human rights defenders and human rights institutions.

The report suggests the creation of an internal strategic framework for fundamental rights and the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights would further strengthen rights protection.

Against a backdrop of mounting intolerance and xenophobic rhetoric, low trust in public institutions, and backsliding in certain aspects of the rule of law, the report also argues that “new ways to explain why rights matter to and for everyone must be found”.