The FRA Director and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, had an engaging bilateral meeting in Geneva on 15 January on issues of common interest.

While recent events in Paris and how the resulting tensions can best be diffused framed a lot of the discussion, the talks also covered the long-standing and close cooperation that takes place between the two bodies in a number of areas. These included the rights of people with disabilities and the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, migration, Roma and the development of human rights indicators. Europe’s strong stance on protecting and promoting fundamental rights was also acknowledged as being a role model for other world regions. However, in this role it was noted that Europe also has a responsibility to act accordingly. FRA’s work and its methodology were cited as a model for the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to build on. The good work of the High Commissioner’s Regional Office for Europe was also recognised during the discussions.