The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, attended the Forum on Fundamental Rights organized by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights FRA in Vienna.

The key is to ensure the greater trust of European citizens, especially young people, in institutions, democracy, and the importance of preserving human rights, primarily through the formation and implementation of clear policies on key issues, the fight against fake news and misinformation, as well as by strengthening the role of civil society, independent media, and human rights defenders – were some of the main messages conveyed during the first day of the Forum, attended by representatives of the highest European bodies, EU countries, and the civil sector.

The issue of realizing human rights should permeate all political processes, in which people from all social groups should be involved through mutual networking and the action of the civil sector. Citizens are the ones who ask, so their voices should be heard and reach political representatives and decision-makers. As concluded today in several panel discussions, it is crucial to motivate young people to become more involved in decision-making through participation in the civil sector as well as voting in elections.

The forum was opened by the President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, and among the speakers were Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary of the Council of Europe, Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission, Sirpa Rautio, the new FRA Director, Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman, Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice, and Maria Rodríguez Alcázar, President of the European Youth Forum.