Rights that are not taken for granted: reflections following the Fundamental Rights Report 2025
On July 1, we attended the presentation of the Fundamental Rights Report 2025, organized by the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union (FRA). This experience allowed us to learn first-hand about the main findings of one of the most relevant reports to understand the current situation of fundamental rights in the European Union.
The report, which is publicly available, provides a comprehensive analysis of the human rights situation in the EU during 2024 and puts forward views and recommendations to strengthen their protection and effective implementation.
One of the most worrying issues highlighted by the Fundamental Rights Report 2025 is the persistence of racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination, all aggravated by the rise and virulence of hate speech, especially on social networks. Although the European Union has some of the most advanced legislation on equality and non-discrimination, in practice there are still profound barriers that particularly affect Jews, Muslims, black and Roma people, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer women. These communities continue to face obstacles in accessing basic rights such as education, housing or decent employment.
In a year marked by conflict due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, it has left 4 million displaced people in its wake. Therefore, another central issue of the report is the situation of migrants and asylum seekers. Despite efforts to establish fairer common policies, the treatment of many people at the Union’s external borders continues to cause concern. The report insists on the need to guarantee dignified asylum procedures, prevent unlawful returns and ensure adequate reception conditions that respect human dignity.
Gender-based violence is another of the persistent problems highlighted in the document. Although important legislative advances have been made, such as the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by several countries, data show that violence against women is still widespread, both in the domestic sphere and in digital environments. FRA stresses the need to strengthen prevention policies, victim support systems and education to dismantle stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes from an early age.
A particularly relevant aspect of the report is the attention it devotes to the relationship between technology and fundamental rights. The expansion of digitalization and artificial intelligence offers enormous opportunities, but also poses very serious risks in terms of privacy, data protection and possible bias or algorithmic discrimination. In addition, it points out the impact that disinformation and manipulation of information can have on the quality of European democracies, especially during election periods. Given this reality, the FRA recommends that Member States strengthen regulation and oversight of automated systems, ensure transparency and promote accountability of those who design and use them.
Throughout the presentation, it became clear that it is not enough to have a solid European legal framework if it is not consistently applied in each Member State. The report insists on the importance of strengthening monitoring mechanisms and linking European funding to real respect for fundamental rights, so that public funds are not allocated to projects that may perpetuate discrimination or social exclusion.
Attending this presentation was a reminder that fundamental rights can never be taken for granted. They are conquests that require constant vigilance, evaluation and an active and committed citizenry. Behind every figure or statistic there are real people whose lives depend on public policies being effectively implemented.
Digitalization can bring rights and opportunities closer, but it can also widen inequalities or open up new forms of violation if it is not managed with an ethical and human rights perspective.
This experience invited us not to forget that the European Union has the responsibility to be a world reference in terms of rights and freedoms. To this end, it is essential to maintain vigilance, denounce setbacks and promote continuous improvements that bring legislation closer to the daily reality of all people, especially the most vulnerable.
The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 is a valuable tool for governments, institutions, organizations and citizens in general, reminding us that fundamental rights are not a gift: they are a commitment that we must defend and demand every day.
Carmen Coleto Martínez, FIBGAR Junior Project Manager
