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Multiannual framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2018-2022

2016/0204(APP)

PURPOSE: to establish a Multiannual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2018-2022.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: in order for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights to carry out its tasks properly, a Multiannual Framework is to be adopted by the Council every five years, determining the thematic areas of the Agency's activity in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

The first Multiannual Framework was established by Council Decision 2008/203/EC. The second Multiannual Framework was established by Council Decision 252/2013/EU.

The Multiannual Framework should be conducted only within the scope of Union law and should be in line with the Union’s priorities, taking due account of the orientations resulting from the European Parliament resolutions and Council conclusions in the field of fundamental rights.

CONTENT: the draft Council Decision seeks to establish a Multiannual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for the period 2018–2022. The current Multiannual Framework (2013-2017) expires at the end of 2017.

Proposed themes: the thematic areas shall be the following:

  • victims of crime and access to justice;
  • equality and discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation, or on the grounds of nationality;
  • information society and, in particular, respect for private life and protection of personal data;
  • judicial cooperation, except in criminal matters;
  • migration, borders, asylum and integration of refugees and migrants;
  • racism, xenophobia and related intolerance;
  • rights of the child;
  • integration and social inclusion of Roma.

Complementarity and cooperation with other bodies: the proposal contains provisions for the purpose of ensuring complementarity with the remit of other Union bodies, offices and agencies, as well as with the Council of Europe and other international organisations active in the field of fundamental rights

The most relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies in relation to this Multiannual Framework are:

  • the European Asylum Support Office (EASO);
  • the European Border and Coast Guards Agency (Frontex);
  • the European Migration Network;
  • the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE);
  • the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS);
  • the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA);
  • Eurojust;
  • the European Police Office (Europol);
  • the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL);
  • the European Foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions (Eurofound);
  • the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA).

The Agency, upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, and as long as its financial and human resources so permit, can work outside the thematic areas determined in the Multiannual Framework.