Russia’s war against Ukraine among main factors impacting human rights in the EU - Fundamental Rights Report 2023

Russia’s war against Ukraine has greatly influenced the state of human rights in the European Union over the past year, the recently published Fundamental Rights Report 2023 by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) noted. As the number of refugees dramatically increase, ensuring their rights within the EU and keeping a lid on the raging waves of hatred have become increasingly challenging.

According to the report, between the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the end of the year, approximately 17 million border crossings from Ukraine to EU Member States were recorded. It is significant that the majority of these crossings were made by women and girls. FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty said:

“Women and girls are innocent victims of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. EU countries provided temporary protection granting them the support they needed to adapt and live in Europe. But the ongoing conflict requires longer-term solutions that also pay particular attention to women.”

The influx of displaced individuals poses additional challenges, particularly concerning employment opportunities to sustain their families and language acquisition to enable effective settlement and integration into the host societies. The report states that addressing these challenges requires gender-specific responses to ensure adequate support and opportunities for those individuals who are affected.

Fig.1. Gender demographics of displaced people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (%)

Source: Fundamental Rights Report 2023

Among other issues, the report highlights significant concerns relating to the housing situation of individuals who have fled from Ukraine. The report states that a lack of privacy has emerged as a prevalent issue, as individuals are often compelled to share living spaces such as kitchens or toilets with strangers.

Fig.2. Respondents’ issues with their current accommodation by EU country (%)

Source: Fundamental Rights Report 2023

Hate crimes and hate speech, particularly online, continue to pose significant challenges and Russia’s continuing aggression in Ukraine has contributed to the persistence of these incidents. Alarmingly, only half of European Union countries have implemented national anti-racism action plans. The report states that it is imperative that more countries develop comprehensive plans to combat racism, along with concrete measures at local and regional levels to address this issue effectively.

Another issue highlighted by the report is rising child poverty with the COVID-19 pandemic having had a profound impact on the trajectory of this, interrupting a previously declining trend. In 2020, the percentage of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion increased from 22.8% in 2019 to 24%. By 2021, this figure rose further to 24.4%, surpassing the proportion of adults facing similar risks, which stood at 21.1%. Notably, there are substantial disparities among European Union Member States. Slovenia boasts the lowest proportion at 11%, while Romania records the highest at 41.5%. Following Romania, Spain (33.4%), Bulgaria (33%), and Greece (32%) have the highest rates of children at risk. Meanwhile, Slovenia is trailed by Finland (13.2%), Czechia (13.3%), and Denmark (14.0%) as the countries with the lowest rates.

Fig.3. Percentage of children (persons under 18 years) at risk of poverty or social exclusion, by member state in 2021

Source: Fundamental Rights Report 2023

A further problem highlighted by the report concerns safeguarding rights in the face of technological advancements. As the deployment of artificial intelligence and digital services expands, ensuring the robust protection of fundamental rights is becoming increasingly vital. The EU’s landmark 2022 Digital Services Act acknowledges the importance of strong rights protection, and it is crucial to ensure its effective implementation. Additionally, according to the report, EU legislators must guarantee the presence of similar robust safeguards in the EU’s proposed AI Act which will enable the responsible and ethical use of technology while safeguarding individuals’ fundamental rights.