The FRA’s most recent Fundamental Rights Report (published in June 2024) analyses last year's developments in fundamental rights. True to its name “Towards a democracy anchored in fundamental rights”, the report focuses on key developments and shortfalls of fundamental rights protection in 2023. In addition, the report explores the application and implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

According to the report, developments and shortfalls in the EU include the impact of the cost-of-living crises and rising poverty in the EU, threats to democracy and civic space, rising antisemitism, increasing intolerance, wider digital divides, and – despite stronger rights protection at EU borders – new risks in the wake of new migration rules.

In a second part, the report contains a series of FRA opinions related to the key developments and shortfalls identified. The opinions outline evidence-based, timely, and practical actions for consideration by EU bodies and national governments. These include the following:

• Cost-of-Living crisis and poverty: Ensuring that poverty and energy reduction measures, including social and housing assistance, reach disadvantaged groups;
• Migration: Strengthening fundamental rights safeguards at borders by, for instance, improving search and rescue practices to save lives at sea; by providing safer conditions for processing new arrivals; and by establishing independent rights monitoring at the EU’s external borders;
• Addressing threats to democracy and civic space: Monitoring and recording civic space restrictions; taking action to protect human rights defenders and media freedom; systematically calling on civil society expertise; allowing meaningful time for effective consultation;
• Confronting racism and forms of intolerance: Taking a firm stand against all forms of racism and related intolerance: acknowledging and countering systemic and deeply rooted racism and related intolerance in our societies; continuing to monitor and collect evidence-based data to feed into EU and national anti-racism and antisemitism laws and policies; providing a safer online space for everyone and acting against online hatred.

When presenting the report on 5 June 2024, FRA Director Sirpa Rautio said:

“Polarisation across Europe is leading to widespread intolerance, creating divided societies with many groups suffering. Rising poverty and democratic threats are further fuelling uncertainty and societal tensions. But Europe also has a strong foundation in human rights which can guide our actions. We should all pull together and work to our strengths to ensure a secure and inclusive future that respects the rights of all where everybody feels safe to be who they are.”