2008/203/EC: Council Decision of 28 February 2008 implementing Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as regards the adoption of a Multi-annual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2007-2012
Date: 2008-02-28
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU competence, EU office or agency, application of EU law, fundamental rights, human rights, operation of the Institutions

L 63/14

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

7.3.2008

(Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory)

II

DECISIONS

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 28 February 2008

implementing Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as regards the adoption of a Multi-annual Framework
for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2007-2012

(2008/203/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard Council Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 of
15 February 2007 establishing a European Union Agency for
Fundamental Rights (1), and in particular Article 5(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1)

Bearing in mind the objectives of the foundation of the
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (here-
inafter the Agency) and in order for the Agency to carry
out its tasks properly, the precise thematic areas of its
a Multi-annual
activity
are
in
Framework
Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

to be determined by
five
covering

stipulated

years

as

(2)

The Framework should include the fight against racism,
xenophobia and related intolerance amongst the thematic
areas of the Agency’s activity.

(3)

(4)

(5)

The Framework should be in line with Union’s priorities,
taking due account of the orientations resulting from the
European Parliament resolutions and Council conclusions
in the field of fundamental rights.

The Framework should have due regard to the Agency’s
financial and human resources and should be conducted
only within the scope of Community law.

The Framework should include provisions with a view of
ensuring complementarity with the
remit of other
Community and Union bodies, offices and agencies, as
well as with the Council of Europe and other interna-
tional organisations active in the field of fundamental
rights. The most
relevant Community agencies and
bodies in relation to this Multi-annual Framework are
the European Institute for Gender Equality established
by Regulation (EC) No 1922/2006 of
the European
Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006
establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality (2)
and the European Data Protection Supervisor established
by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of
the European
Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000
individuals with regard to the
on the protection of
processing of personal data by the Community insti-
tutions and bodies and on the free movement of such
data (3), and the European Ombudsman, the objectives of
which should consequently be taken into account.

(6)

The Commission, while preparing its proposal, has
consulted the Management Board of the Fundamental
Rights Agency during its meeting of 12-13 July 2007
and received written comments by letter of 25 July 2007.

(1) OJ L 53, 22.2.2007, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 403, 30.12.2006, p. 9.
(3) OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

7.3.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 63/15

(7)

(8)

This Framework defines the precise thematic areas of the
work of the Agency, whereas several permanent tasks of
the Agency are determined in Article 4 of Regulation
(EC) No 168/2007,
the task of raising the
awareness of the general public about their fundamental
rights and about active dissemination of
information
about the work of the Agency.

inter alia,

The Agency, upon a request of the European Parliament,
the Council or the Commission, provided its financial
and human resources so permit, can work outside the
thematic
the Multi-annual
Framework, in accordance with Article 5(3) of the Regu-
lation (EC) No 168/2007,

determined

areas

in

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Multi-annual Framework

A Multi-annual Framework for

1.
the European Union
Agency for Fundamental Rights (hereinafter ‘the Agency’) for
the period 2007-2012 is hereby established.

The Agency shall in accordance with Article 3 of Regu-
2.
lation (EC) No 168/2007 carry out
the tasks defined in
Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 within the
thematic areas laid down in Article 2 of this Decision.

Article 2

Thematic areas

The thematic areas shall be the following:

(a) racism, xenophobia and related intolerance;

(b) discrimination based on sex, race or ethnic origin, religion
or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and against
persons belonging to minorities and any combination of
these grounds (multiple discrimination);

(c) compensation of victims;

(d) the rights of the child, including the protection of children;

(h) information society and, in particular, respect for private life

and protection of personal data;

(i) access to efficient and independent justice.

Article 3

Complementarity and cooperation with other bodies

The Agency shall ensure appropriate cooperation and
1.
coordination with relevant Community bodies, offices and
agencies, Member States,
international organisations and civil
society, under the terms of Articles 7, 8 and 10 of Regulation
(EC) No 168/2007, for the implementation of this Framework.

2.
In particular, the Agency shall coordinate its activities with
those of the Council of Europe under the terms of Article 9 of
Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 and in the agreement referred to
in that Article.

3.
The Agency shall deal with issues relating to discrimi-
nation based on sex only as part of, and to the extent
issues on
its work to be undertaken on general
relevant to,
discrimination referred to in Article 2 point (b);
it shall take
into account that the overall objectives of the European Institute
for Gender Equality established by Regulation (EC) No
1922/2006 shall be to contribute to and strengthen the
promotion of gender equality, including gender mainstreaming
in all Community policies and the resulting national policies,
and the fight against discrimination based on sex and to raise
EU citizens' awareness of gender equality by providing technical
to the
in particular
assistance to Community institutions,
Commission and the authorities of the Member States.

issues

relating to the

The Agency shall carry out its tasks in the area of human
4.
information society without
rights
prejudice to the responsibilities of the European Data Protection
Supervisor
rights and
freedoms of natural persons, and in particular their right to
privacy, are respected by Community institutions and bodies
in accordance with his or her duties and powers stipulated in
Articles 46 and 47 of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.

for ensuring that

the fundamental

(e) asylum, immigration and integration of migrants;

Done at Brussels, 28 February 2008.

(f) visa and border control;

(g) participation of the citizens of the Union in the Union’s

democratic functioning;

For the Council
The President

D. MATE