Threats of violence against women, online hatred, electoral manipulation and rights violations at the EU border are some of the “challenges” highlighted in this year’s annual report of its Fundamental Rights Organization (FRA), published on June 10.
It calls for “wake-up” the EU Member States and institutions in order to prevent “erosion of fundamental rights” and the “regression of democracy”.
The prevailing socio -economic conditions, the geopolitical changes internationally and the conflicts have put, as pointed out, under pressure from the fundamental rights in the EU. In particular, a year marked by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Russian aggression against Ukraine, but also in Ukraine. “Fronts” has a clear footprint “in racism, discrimination and polarization” in the EU.
Migration, AI, hate rhetoric: the dark shadows falling over Europe
Hate rhetoric and harassment, including hate crimes and violent crimes motivated by physical prejudice, are “very real threats”, according to the report.
It is also highlighted by “an increasing danger” the behaviors behind racist and biased acts (with main victims of blacks, Roma, immigrants, lesbians, homosexuals, bisexuals, trans, intercourse and kuir (LGBTIQ), etc.).
One of the extremely interesting elements of FRA research is that hate speech is gender: women are more commonly targeted (misogyny, offensive content and threats) on the Internet.
The war in Gaza has an impact that is being read on the one hand on growing anti -Semitism, on the other hand on Islamophobia and hatred against Muslims in the EU. One third (37%) of the Jews say they have been harassed. Even greater is the percentage of racial discriminations that have Muslims. Almost one in two (47%). An increase specifically highlighted in the last year.
Fra conducted, at the EU level, for the first time research in 2024 on racism in policing. He reveals that “it is still a problem throughout the continent”, fueling social exclusion and suspicion over the police.
And it is targeting the exhibition, as “it can negatively affect fundamental rights”. The extremely contradictory thing is that even algorithms designed to detect and inhibit the spread of hate speech ‘may be biased and lead to discrimination with excessive or non -complete removal of specific content.
Developments ‘worrying’, in terms of fundamental rights, says the report, inter alia, regarding immigration and asylum at the EU’s external borders. While it is found that “many people either die at sea or are ignored by trying to reach Europe”.
In 2024, 3,642 people were killed or ignored by trying to pass by sea in Europe, according to the International Organization for Migration. Similarly in 2024, 82 people died or missing in the Channel – an increase of 66% compared to 2023.
And although “civil society organizations play a key role in rescuing and mitigating the difficulties of immigrants and asylum seekers”, they are “punished for their work”, as FRA reports on research and rescue operations.
Finally, the new Pact for immigration and asylum “raises some risks to fundamental rights, which are largely linked to the speed of the border process. The new rules require Member States to have an independent mechanism for monitoring compliance with fundamental rights in control of newcomers and in evaluating asylum applications at the external border.
To make these activities effective, FRA has published practical instructions to the Member States to help them create national independent monitoring mechanisms for control and asylum procedures at the border.
Agenda
The European Council’s agenda strategy for the period 2024-2029, the political guidelines of the President of the European Commission and, at the same time, the assignments of duties to the commissioners are prioritized by the increased protection of fundamental rights and “sectors where there may be regressions”. In this context, the EU prioritizes the safeguarding of a free and democratic Europe.
And the chapter of the report entitled “Respect for Fundamental Rights in the Election Process” is thoroughly examining the defense of democratic values. The EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights is expected to ensure more consistency in the defense of human rights in Member States and the EU itself.
The EU’s second priority is to maintain a strong and secure Europe, including through the enhancement of security and defense, the implementation of an integrated approach to immigration and border management and the preparation for a new wave of enlargement. The third and last priority focuses on promoting a prosperous and competitive Europe through the implementation of green and digital transition.
