Director of the Human Rights Centre Sirpa Rautio to become Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights

In its meeting of 14–15 December, the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) chose Sirpa Rautio, Director of the Human Rights Centre as the Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.

Sirpa Rautio has been Director of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) since its establishment in 2012. She also currently chairs the Board of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) and is a member of the Board of the Global Network of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). Previously, Rautio also chaired the Management Board of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights between 2017 and 2020 and served for several years in international and regional human rights organisations such as the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the EU in issues related to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights advises the EU's institutions and the governments of the Member States in issues related to fundamental rights. It provides independent expert advice to decision-makers and produces research data and analyses related to fundamental rights.

“It is a great honour to be chosen as the director of a respected EU agency. While human rights are being strongly challenged, I look forward to working closely with the staff and Management Board of FRA and its stakeholders to promote and protect human rights across Europe," says Sirpa Rautio, the newly elected Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.

Press release of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (15 December 2023)

Further information

Sirpa Rautio, Director, tel. +358 50 574 1137, sirpa.rautio@ihmisoikeuskeskus.fi 
Susan Villa, Expert, tel. +358 50 341 2267, susan.villa@ihmisoikeuskeskus.fi