Main topic of this issue: The European Union launches new Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The FRA succeeded the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) on 1 March 2007.

The articles in this number of the magazine include various speeches from the opening of the Agency, and discuss challenges, changing perspectives and the mandate of the new Agency. NGO views are presented as well.

Of special interest is the interview with Terry Davis; the Secretary General of the Council of Europe sees the role of the Agency in particular in the field of human rights data collection and analysis, thus complementing the Council of Europe's work: "The Agency will play its part by collecting objective and reliable data on the human rights situation in EU Member States, publishing reports and preparing comparative studies." (p.24-26)

The human rights expert De Schutter sees the added value of the FRA in the fields of monitoring, collective learning process and guidance, but also warns not to duplicate the work of the Council of Europe (p.27-30).

Most articles of this issue are available online - in English, French and German - on the website of the Centre at this external link.