The Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) published its annual report on the state of fundamental rights in the EU. This year’s report presents the situation in 2024, focusing on three specific topics.

1. Respect for fundamental rights in the electoral process

In light of the 2024 European elections, the FRA chose to pay special attention to the political representation and participation of minority groups.

The report highlights a lack of adequate representation of women, young people, people with disabilities, and other minority groups in the European Parliament, risking to undermine its legitimacy and effectiveness. Only three MEPs have openly declared a disability, compared to eight in the previous term.

1.1 Participation of people with disabilities in the electoral process

Concerning the political participation of people with disabilities, the report shows progress over the past decade. Measures include technical and personal assistance, as well as accessible materials like easy-to-read leaflets and mobile apps.

At the EU level, the European Commission published a Guide on good practices to address people with disabilities' participation in the electoral process, complemented by initiatives from civil society. This included the European Disability Forum’s manifesto and Inclusion Europe’s indicators for intellectual disability participation.

However, significant barriers remain. These include legal capacity restrictions; inaccessible voting procedures for people with visual, hearing, or intellectual disabilities; poor web and media access, and issues with polling station accessibility.

2. Protecting women victims of violence

Based on the first-ever EU-wide survey on gender-based violence, FRA’s report depicts a concerning trend across EU Member States. Gender-based violence is rising, as well as harassment and hate crimes, both online and offline, notably against certain categories of women, such as those with disabilities.

The report showcases promising practices to address this worrying trend. For example, in Spain, a specialised unit within a free 24-hour helpline was put in place to support women and children with intellectual disabilities. This is a very important initiative, especially given the higher incidence of sexual violence against this group.

FRA also launched its first campaign against gender-based violence, with content specifically dedicated to people with disabilities.

3. Implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

The report examines how the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is being implemented across Member States, shedding light on both progress and ongoing challenges.

It highlights the important roles played by Ombudspersons, Equality Bodies, National Human Rights Institutions, and civil society organisations in promoting and safeguarding fundamental rights. The reports shows that these actors often face limitations due to time constraints, insufficient resources, and a lack of capacity to provide meaningful feedback. Likewise, civil society participation continues to be undermined by funding cuts, which restrict their ability to engage effectively in monitoring and advocacy.

Explore the Fundamental Rights Report 2025, an essential resource for staying up to date with the evolving landscape of fundamental rights across the EU.