“Europe is facing a crisis in terms of the respect of fundamental rights”
New Director of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union (FRA), Michael O’Flaherty’s meeting with civil society representatives in France, including the Children of Prisoners Europe network left those present motivated and hopeful, but not without a feeling of having been warned as to the difficulties facing rights organisations currently and in the upcoming months. The intimate meeting between the new Director and 7 civil society organisations took place during the former’s visit to France in early September 2016. Michael O’Flaherty showed interest in the various topics presented and not only listened but provided indispensable insight into the workings of the European Union and the most pressing issues it is currently facing. The Children of Prisoners Europe network looks forward to working with Michael O’Flaherty and the Fundamental Rights Agency in the future and is certain that his appointment will bring a breath of fresh air and a strong, new vision that is currently so essential to the EU.
The FRA’s latest Fundamental Rights Report (2016) can be accessed online here: http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2016/fundamental-rights-report-2016