EU Fundamental Rights Agency a step forward for children’s rights

The European Children’s Network (EURONET), which brings together children’s rights
organisations from across Europe, welcomes the establishment on 1st March of a new
EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.

“The new Fundamental Rights Agency is a sign the EU is starting to take seriously its
role in protecting and promoting fundamental rights, including children’s rights” said
Simone Ek, President of EURONET.

“Many areas of EU activity affect children, whether it is combating child trafficking,
promoting child-friendly employment policies or protecting children as consumers.
Children’s organisations are optimistic the new Agency will help ensure the EU’s
policies actively promote child rights as laid out in the EU Charter of Fundamental
Rights and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – which all EU Member
States have ratified” she continued.

The Agency comes in time to support the development of a new EU strategy on the
rights of the child which was announced in 2006. “EURONET urges the Agency to play
an active role in the forthcoming child rights strategy. It should put particular
emphasis on children’s rights in its work programme including by collecting
information on children’s rights in Europe” highlighted Mieke Schuurman, Secretary-
General of the network.

EURONET also welcomes the commitment to close cooperation with the Council of
Europe and civil society organisations. “The Agency must draw on the expertise of
children’s NGOs by including them in the Fundamental Rights Platform. Building links
with the new European Forum on the Rights of the Child will also ensure real
momentum for children’s rights at EU level, to help bring tangible improvements for
children across Europe and beyond” finished Ms. Schuurman.

More information

• The creation of a Fundamental Rights Agency is a basic element of the EU policy to respect and promote fundamental rights