(1)

In order for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (the ‘Agency’) to carry out its tasks properly, a Multiannual Framework is to be adopted by the Council every five years, determining the thematic areas of the Agency's activity in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 (2).

(2)

The first Multiannual Framework was established by Council Decision 2008/203/EC (3). The second Multiannual Framework was established by Council Decision 252/2013/EU (4).

(3)

The Multiannual Framework should be conducted only within the scope of Union law.

(4)

The Multiannual Framework should be in line with the Union's priorities, taking due account of the orientations resulting from the European Parliament resolutions and Council conclusions in the field of fundamental rights.

(5)

The Multiannual Framework should have due regard to the Agency's financial and human resources.

(6)

The Multiannual Framework should include provisions for the purpose of ensuring complementarity with the remit of other Union bodies, offices and agencies, as well as with the Council of Europe and other international organisations active in the field of fundamental rights. The most relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies in relation to this Multiannual Framework are: the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), established by Regulation (EU) No 439/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5); the European Border and Coast Guards Agency (Frontex), established by Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 (6) and renamed by Regulation (EU) 2016/1624 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7); the European Migration Network, established by Council Decision 2008/381/EC (8); the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), established by Regulation (EC) No 1922/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9); the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), established by Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (10); the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), established by Regulation (EU) No 526/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11); Eurojust, established by Council Decision 2002/187/JHA (12); the European Police Office (Europol), established by Council Decision 2009/371/JHA (13); the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), established by Regulation (EU) 2015/2219 of the European Parliament and of the Council (14); the European Foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions (Eurofound), established by Regulation (EEC) No 1365/75 of the Council (15); and the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA), established by Regulation (EU) No 1077/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (16).

(7)

The thematic areas of the Agency's work should include fight against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance.

(8)

In view of the importance of the fight against poverty and social exclusion for the Union, which has made it one of the five targets of the Europe 2020 growth strategy, the Agency should take into consideration the economic and social preconditions enabling an effective enjoyment of fundamental rights when collecting and disseminating data within the thematic areas established by this Decision.

(9)

The Commission, when preparing its proposal, consulted the Management Board of the Agency and received a written opinion on 1 March 2016. The Agency's Management Board was further consulted at its meeting on 19 and 20 May 2016.

(10)

The Agency, upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, and as long as its financial and human resources so permit, can work outside the thematic areas determined in the Multiannual Framework, in accordance with Article 5(3) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007,

(a)

victims of crime and access to justice;

(b)

equality and discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation, or on the grounds of nationality;

(c)

information society and, in particular, respect for private life and protection of personal data;

(d)

judicial cooperation, except in criminal matters;

(e)

migration, borders, asylum and integration of refugees and migrants;

(f)

racism, xenophobia and related intolerance;

(g)

rights of the child;

(h)

integration and social inclusion of Roma.