Support for human rights systems and defenders

At its meeting on 20 April, the Council Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens’ Rights and Free Movement of Persons (FREMP) held an in-depth exchange on how to strengthen human rights impact assessments in EU and national lawmaking. The European Commission, FRA and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) introduced the exchange amongst Member States. 

The European Commission outlined how human rights impact assessments are conducted when preparing new EU legislation under the ‘Better Regulation Toolbox’ emphasising the key role the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter. 

Drawing on its report ‘Better legislation: Human rights impact assessment in lawmaking’, FRA called for systematic, concrete, and practice-oriented approaches. The Agency pointed to the recommendations formulated in its report and encouraged peer learning among Member States to support the development of effective practices. 

ENNHRI underscored the added value of involving national human rights institutions in national assessments. 

Various Member States emphasised that political urgency must not justify lowering fundamental rights standards and are not an argument against carrying out impact assessments. Some delegations argued for better consideration of national contexts and more coordination to enhance transposition and strengthen coherence in fundamental rights protection.