Human Rights Protection in Europe
The Fundamental Rights Agency; Report with Evidence; 29th Report of Session 2005-06
Description:... The Commission has proposed the creation of an EU Fundamental Rights Agency. The Agency's principal task will be to provide assistance and expertise to EU institutions and Member States when implementing Community and third pillar legislation. While it has been broadly welcomed by Member States, national human rights institutes and non-governmental organisations, there are concerns that the Agency's activities may overlap with those of other bodies in the field and more particularly, with the work of the Council of Europe. This Report discusses the extent to which duplication might arise. Chapter 3 looks at the geographic scope and remit of the Agency and considers the extent to which these will result in overlap with the Council of Europe. Aside from human rights bodies in general, there is the potential for duplication between the Agency and the proposed European Institute for Gender Equality. Chapter 4 discusses whether there is a need for two separate bodies or whether the Fundamental Rights Agency should be responsible for all fundamental rights and discrimination matters, including gender issues. Finally the Committee considers whether the Agency will be sufficiently independent from the Commission and the Council and makes recommendations as to the composition of the Agency's management and executive board.
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