The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights has released its Fundamental Rights Report for 2024, highlighting numerous threats to fundamental rights across Europe. The report emphasizes the urgent need for strong and sustainable protection of human rights, noting challenges such as the rising cost of living, widespread poverty, threats to democracy, and ongoing racism. 

The Annual Fundamental Rights  Report

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is an independent centre of reference and excellence for promoting and protecting human rights in the European Union (EU). FRA provides independent, evidence-based advice to EU institutions and national governments on fundamental rights, particularly in the areas of discrimination, racism, access to justice, victims’ rights, and children’s rights. Their annual Fundamental Rights Report covers all 27 EU Member States as well as the Republic of Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, and the Republic of Serbia. This year’s report presents a timely review of the most pressing threats to fundamental rights in Europe. The report also contains independent FRA opinions that are intended to inform policymakers and lawmakers by outlining actions for the EU and member states.

Increasing Living Expenses and Growing Poverty

The cost-of-living crisis, affecting all member states, is caused by the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising energy prices due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. In 2022, the EU recorded the highest inflation rate since the euro was introduced (9.2 %), resulting in a sharp increase in consumer prices for private households. As wages, pensions, and social benefits have not increased as fast as inflation, it has led to a cost-of-living crisis, affecting mainly low-income households which tend to spend higher shares of their income on food and energy. By the end of 2022, 93 % of Europeans identified the rising cost of living as their primary concern.

The report notes that one in five EU residents fell into poverty due to rising living and energy costs. Vulnerable groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities, children, LGBTIQ individuals, Roma, and people with disabilities, face the greatest risks of experiencing poverty. According to Eurostat data, over 41 million people in the EU (9.3 % of the population) could not keep their homes warm enough in 2022, up from 6.9 % in 2021. The EU has established several new initiatives to mitigate the social impacts of the cost-of-living crisis. For example, a new EU directive on adequate minimum wages requires member states to adopt the necessary measures by 15 November 2024. The directive aims to promote collective bargaining and it also establishes criteria for assessing the adequacy of minimum wages, such as purchasing power, national economic conditions, and wage distribution.

Rising housing costs are making housing poverty worse, particularly for marginalized communities. At least 895,000 people were homeless in the EU in 2023. In 2022, 10.6 % of the urban residents spent over 40 % of their disposable income on housing. Tenants in the private rental market are in a particularly precarious situation, with 46 % of them feeling at risk of needing to leave their accommodation in the next three months because they can no longer afford it. Moreover, although FRA survey data consistently shows that the majority of the Roma population faces housing deprivation, only a few EU countries have taken specific measures to address Roma housing needs.

Threats to Civil Society and Democracy

Meaningful participation of individuals and civil society in public affairs is crucial for implementing fundamental rights. Yet, the report highlights insufficient opportunities for their engagement in legislative processes, especially among people with disabilities, youth, and minority groups. Women remain under-represented in political decision-making, making up only 33 % of national parliaments in the EU. Moreover, civil space faces significant threats across Europe, with excessive administrative burdens, negative media campaigns, politically motivated cut of funding, online and offline threats, and attacks and outright bans on certain activities. In addition, journalists, especially female journalists, also faced direct attacks and threats. For example, an online survey in Slovakia revealed that two-thirds of journalists had experienced threats, with 16 % stating that the attack caused them to self-censor.

The freedom of peaceful assembly and association faced threats in 2023, impacting the foundation of democratic societies in the EU. Respondents reported various forms of repression, including negative media coverage, harassment, excessive administrative checks, and politically motivated funding cuts. The European Court of Human Rights emphasizes that the right to freedom of assembly is fundamental and should not be restricted unnecessarily. However, legislative measures in Spain and Italy faced criticism for being overly restrictive, and German and French police were criticized for their handling of protests. Climate-related protests also continued and saw varied responses in recent years. German authorities placed activists under surveillance, carried out home searches and imposed preventive detention and prison sentences. In addition, Austria faced accusations of excessive force against climate protesters.

Rising Anti-semitism and Intolerance

Racism and related forms of intolerance came into sharp focus in 2023, particularly after the conflict between Israel and Hamas triggered an alarming rise in hate crimes against Jews and Muslims across many parts of Europe. However, this escalation was part of a much broader picture of racism and related forms of intolerance across Europe, which continue to exist and manifest in different ways. New FRA research in 2023 identified a worsening trend of racism against people of African descent, while anti-Roma discrimination continues to be pervasive.

Migration Challenges

The report also addresses migration challenges. Almost three in ten Europeans (28 %) consider immigration to be the main concern that the EU is facing. Three out of four Europeans (75 %) are in favor of reinforcing the EU’s external borders. To repress irregular migration, states have increased border militarization and built more fences. Moreover, from mid-2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will require most non-EU nationals from visa-free countries to obtain travel authorization before entering the Schengen area. Applicants will have to enter information about themselves into an online tool. This system will utilize an algorithm to identify individuals who may pose security, irregular immigration, or epidemic risks.

Many individuals seeking international protection or work opportunities do not possess valid travel documents and often attempt to reach Europe by sea on unseaworthy boats. In 2023, over 4,000 people died or went missing at sea, the highest number in the last five years. Of these, 191 were children. To address the increasing death toll at sea, the FRA proposes six key interventions. These include conducting prompt, independent investigations, enhancing search and rescue operations, and establishing clear disembarkation rules with solidarity for rescued individuals. The recommendations also call for better protection of shipwreck survivors, independent border monitoring, and more accessible legal pathways to the EU. These measures aim to reduce fatalities and improve migrant treatment at sea.

 

Sources

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. 2024. Fundamental Rights Report 2024. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union (https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2024/fundamental-rights-report-2024) 

Photograph

Roma have a considerably higher risk of experiencing energy poverty than the average in the EU-27. Roma Children, author: World Bank, 14 February 2017, source: Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED.