Asylum, migration and borders

On 18 December 2023, FRA presented its report on human rights defenders to the Visa Committee which brings together all EU Member States.

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The EU prioritised support to human rights defenders globally in its 2016 EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.

However, FRA’s report notes that human rights defenders face significant obstacles when applying for a visa to come to the EU.

FRA listed the different mobility needs of human rights defenders. It suggested possible changes to the Visa Code Handbook which would enable visa staff to make full use of the flexibility included in the Visa Code.