The European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) recently published its annual report titled "Fundamental rights: key legal and policy developments in 2012". The report is structured in line with the agency's main thematic work areas for the period 2007-2012. A "Highlights" report, published at the same time, covers selected issues of the annual report. The aim of both the annual report and the Highlights supplement is to review progress made in Member States in relation to fundamental rights and to stress the need that these rights should be safeguarded in times of crisis.

The ten chapters of the annual report cover issues including asylum, immigration and integration, the rights of the child and the protection of children, equality and non-discrimination, racism and ethnic discrimination, participation of EU citizens in the Union's democratic functioning, access to efficient and independent justice and rights of crime victims. The FRA notes that the crisis the EU has been facing over the course of the past five years transcends issues of finance. It has implications for democratic legitimacy and the rule of law, and therefore also for the respect of fundamental rights. The crisis and its consequences have called for action from institutional and policy actors at all levels of governance, civil society organisations and the general public to ensure that the EU and its Member States uphold obligations to preserve fundamental rights.

The FRA notes that 2012 saw important developments with regard to the international obligations of the EU and its Member States, with several Member States accepting key Council of Europe instruments in 2012.

As far as Cyprus is concerned, it is evident throughout the report that significant steps have been taken to further entrench fundamental rights in legal and policy development. Specifically, Cyprus has ratified the Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, along with Finland, Germany and Lithuania, and the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

The report recognises child poverty in the EU as an issue of growing concern. According to 2011 Eurostat figures, 27% of children are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, a higher percentage than the rest of the population. Within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council in 2012, the issue of child poverty was the theme of various conferences and was given particular attention.

Another major issue highlighted in the report is the issue of guardianship or legal representation and the administrative detention of children alone or with their families. In Cyprus, the Ombudsman's Office published a report on legal representation of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in May 2012. The report recommended changes in legislation to ensure the legal representation of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

While the report marks significant progress in some areas of fundamental rights, there is inconsistency of progress among Member States and a lack of a coherent legal and policy development for the entrenchment of fundamental rights in certain national systems.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.