The Fundamental Rights Research Centre (FRC) is the national contractor for FRANET, the multi-disciplinary research network of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). As national contractor, FRC periodically produces state of the art overviews of the human rights situation in Belgium in relation to a variety of topics, thereby helping the FRA monitor the protection of human rights in Belgium. In this page, you will find all the services FRC has provided to the FRA in this capacity.
2024
Political participation of people with disabilities
This research forms part of the background material for FRA’s report on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) which will focus on the right to political participation of persons with disabilities under Article 29 of the CRPD.Mapping and analysis of national human rights structures in the EU
This project will map the existing national human rights structures and mechanisms in EU Member States (and countries participating as observers with FRA) and their interactions.Contributing to the FRA Fundamental Rights Report 2024
FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2024 analyses the year’s developments in fundamental rights. FRC contributed to the report by providing information on Belgium.Criminal Detention in the EU: Conditions and Monitoring (Update of FRA’s Criminal Detention Database)
In 2019, FRA developed its ‘Criminal Detention Database’, an online tool to assist judges and other legal practitioners in accessing information on the criminal detention conditions in the context of the existing fundamental rights standards. The work done in 2024 aimed to collect data on Belgium to update the FRA’s database and extend its scope.Fundamental rights protection of persons with disabilities living in institutions
This service aimed to collect relevant data about persons with disabilities living in institutions in Belgium to contribute to the FRA's activities as member of the EU Framework for monitoring respect for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and support FRA’s work towards the proper implementation of the EU Victims’ Rights Directive.Ensuring environmental protection - the just transition of the EU Green Deal
This research aimed to collect information on the national implementation of the just transition of the European Green Deal to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
2023
Surveillance Report Update
The aim of this research is to highlight the key developments in the area of surveillance by intelligence services in Belgium.Contributing to the FRA Fundamental Rights Report 2023
FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2023 reviews major developments in the field in 2022, identifying both achievements and areas of concern. FRC contributed to the report by providing information on Belgium.Local/city measures ensuring access to selected rights for temporary protection beneficiaries
The objective of this research is to collect information on the measures, challenges and good practices arising in locations hosting a large number of persons displaced due to the war in Ukraine.Fieldwork research: GDPR – The experience of data protection authorities
The aim of this research is to conduct interviews that will provide information about the concrete application, challenges and best practices identified by DPAs in implementing the GDPR.An update on developments regarding civic space in the EU and an overview of the possibilities for human rights defenders to enter EU territory
This research provides the FRA with an update on developments regarding civic space in the EU and an overview of the possibilities for human rights defenders to enter EU territory.Updating the FRA Anti-Muslim Hatred Database (2022)
The update will provide available statistics and other data pertaining to anti-Muslim hatred to the FRA.Mapping of child protection systems in the EU 27 - an update
The main objective of the research is to update and expand the child protection mapping conducted by FRA collected through FRANET in 2014 and published in 2015.Fundamental rights of children displaced in the EU following the Russian war of aggression
This research contributed to the FRA's third bulletin on the fundamental rights implication of the war in Ukraine.
2022
Analysing key fundamental rights concerns in the field of asylum and migration
In view of the increasing numbers of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants entering the EU, the European Commission asked FRA to collect data about the fundamental rights situation of people arriving in Member States and EU candidate countries that have been particularly affected by large migration movements. In this context, FRC provided the FRA with periodic bulletins on the fundamental rights situation of migrants and asylum-seekers in Belgium from 2019 to 2022.Contributing to the FRA Fundamental Rights Report 2022
FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2021 reviews major developments in the field in 2020, identifying both achievements and areas of concern. FRC contributed to the report by providing information on Belgium.Legal environment and space of civil society organisations in supporting fundamental rights and the rule of law in EU Member States
The FRA civil society report showcases good practice examples from across the EU.Anti-racism in policing in the EU:challenges and promising practices
The objective of this research is to provide the FRA with information and data on anti-racism in policing to contribute to FRA's report Addressing Racism in Policing.Fieldwork research: Procedural safeguards in European Arrest Warrant (EAW) proceedings
This fieldwork contributed to FRA's report, which looks at the fundamental rights challenges that people face who are subject to an EAW.Training provided to labour inspectors on the protective elements of the Employers Sanctions Directive
The objective of this research is to provide the FRA with information on the application of some of the protective elements of the Employers Sanctions Directive in Belgium.Providing assistance and expertise on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
The objective of this research is to provide the FRA with information on the national expertise on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.Ageing in digital societies: enablers and barriers to older persons exercising their social rights
This research contributed to FRA's report on fundamental rights of older people, which maps the current legislation, policies and practices fostering digital inclusion.Fundamental rights implications of the war in Ukraine within the EU
This research contributed to the FRA's second bulletin on the fundamental rights implication of the war in Ukraine.Business and human rights: promoting environmental protection through enforcement of consumer rights
This research project aims to explore how enforcing consumers’ rights can serve protection of the environment by prompting the sustainable behaviour of business.
2021
Reporting on guardianship systems for unaccompanied children
The aim of this report was to update the 2015 report on guardianship systems in order to provide an overview of the guardianship systems as of 2020.Contribution to the FRA Fundamental Rights Report 2021
FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2021 reviews major developments in the field in 2020, identifying both achievements and areas of concern. FRC contributed to the report by providing information on Belgium.Criminal Detention in the EU - Conditions and Monitoring (Update of the FRA's Criminal Detention Database)
In 2019, FRA developed its ‘Criminal Detention Database 2015-2019’, an online tool to assist judges and other legal practitioners in accessing information on the criminal detention conditions in the context of the existing fundamental rights standards. The work done in 2021 aimed to collect data on Belgium to update the FRA’s database and extend its scope.The fundamental rights situation of long-term residents in the EU (fieldwork)
The project will result in an evidence-based comparative overview of the fundamental rights situation of long-term residents in the EU and their integration and inclusion in host societies. This overview will be based mainly on immigrants’ own perspectives and experiences through online focus group discussions and online interviews.Procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused persons in criminal proceedings (fieldwork)
The objective of this research is to provide evidence based advice to the EU institutions and EU Member States on criminal procedural rights. To achieve these objectives, FRC conducted desktop research and social fieldwork for FRA to provide the Agency with country-level information on procedural safeguards for children who are suspects or accused person in criminal proceedings.
2020
Reporting on legal aid in return procedures in Belgium
This data collection intends to enable the FRA to have an overview of the situation in EU Member States regarding the availability of free legal aid to persons in return procedures.Contribution to the FRA Fundamental Rights Report 2020
FRA’s Fundamental Rights Report 2020 reviews major developments in the field in 2019, identifying both achievements and areas of concern. FRC contributed to the report by providing information on Belgium.Roma and Travellers Survey 2018/2019: Legislation, policy and practical aspects
This data collection will collate reliable, precise and up-to-date information on the main national anti-discrimination legislation and policies on Roma and Travellers and those promoting their social inclusion.Data collection on experiences of discrimination on grounds of disability and on grounds of age in the area of employment and occupation
The purpose of this research is to collect available national data and information on discrimination on grounds of (1) disability and (2) age in the area of employment and occupation in the EU Member States.Justice for all? Equal access to criminal justice for all victims of crimes against the person
The research will collect data on the differential treatment of various categories of victims of crimes against the person and, consequently, differences between these categories in having access to criminal justice.Severe labour exploitation and the Employers Sanction Directive
The aim of this research is to provide an overview of how the protective provisions in the Employers Sanctions Directive have impacted on victims of particularly exploitative working conditions.Long-term residence permits
The aim of the data collection is to map national long-term residence permits in the 25 EU Member States bound by the EU Long-Term Residence Directive 2003/109/EC particularly exploring the data regarding the existence, lengths of status, withdrawal of status and expulsion, as well as equal treatment with Member State nationals, under national long-term residence permits.Fundamental Rights Impact of the EU Terrorism Directive
This report will collate information on key fundamental rights challenges at the national level in the field of counter-terrorism with particular focus on the implementation of the Directive 2017/541 on combating terrorism.Presumption of Innocence: procedural rights in criminal proceedings (fieldwork)
This project will report on the application of certain aspects of the right to be presumed innocent in criminal proceedings and the fundamental rights implications for the persons concerned, in compliance with Directive 2016/343/EU on the strengthening of certain aspects of the presumption of innocence and of the right to be present at trial in criminal proceedings.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the EU – impact on fundamental rights
On a monthly basis the FRA produces bulletins that outline the measures taken to protect public health and their impact on fundamental rights in EU Member States. A country report for Belgium is also published.
2019
Reporting on fundamental rights issues in the context of border management and return
The objective of this service is to provide information to the FRA on fundamental rights compliance during external border management and return and readmission based on a review of recent publications such as reports, articles, statements and news items, as well as national case law.Updating the FRA Anti-Muslim Hatred Database (2019)
The update will provide available statistics and other data pertaining to anti-Muslim hatred, where possible disaggregated by ethnic and/or religious group, citizenship, gender and age to identify intersectional aspects in Belgium.