Welcome!

RAXEN.ie is the official website of the RAXEN National Focal Point for Ireland.


RAXEN is an information network consisting of National Focal Points (NFPs) in all 27 EU member States. The network was established by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in 2000 to monitor incidents of racism, xenophobia, religious and other related intolerances in the EU.

The current RAXEN NFP for Ireland is a consortium comprising the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), the Equality Studies Centre of the School of Social Justice, UCD and the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI).


The role of RAXEN NFPs is to provide timely and robust evidence based data and information to facilitate the work of FRA on issues including:
•    Racism
•    Xenophobia,
•    Anti Semitism
•    Islamophobia
•    Religious intolerance
•    Homophobia
•    Anti Traveller/Gypsyism
•    Other related intolerances


Complimentary Data Collection
RAXEN NFPs are required to submit an annual Complimentary Data Collection report for inclusion in FRAs Annual report.

RAXEN Bulletins
RAXEN NFPs also submit quarterly Information Bulletins which offer a snapshot overview of developments in each Member State concerning policy, research, exemplary cases and data on racism and related intolerances.

RAXEN Research
RAXEN NFPs also conduct in depth research reports on issues pertaining to FRA’s Multi Annual Framework.

Information reported to FRA typically includes:
•    Information on official data concerning racist and related hate crime;
•    Information on racist and related discrimination in the provision of employment, housing, education and health care;
•    Exemplary cases of discrimination, restrictions of access or exclusion;
•    Examples of positive initiatives and best practice in combating racial and related discrimination;
•    Participation of minorities in public life;
•    The work of national equality bodies in the collection data on complaints of racial or ethnic discrimination
•    Important case law or legislation concerning racism and related intolerances

Rapid Response Reports
FRA may also request RAXEN NFPs to produce Rapid Response Reports to provide specific evidence based data and information for EU wide comparative reports of a topical nature.

For information and links to recent FRA publications, please click here.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is Ireland’s leading independent human rights watchdog, which monitors, educates and campaigns in order to secure full enjoyment of human rights for everyone.
The Agency provides the relevant institutions and authorities of the Community and its Member States when implementing Community law with assistance and expertise relating to fundamental rights in order to support them when they take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence to fully respect fundamental rights.
Equality Studies is an inter-disciplinary study of significant equalities and inequalities in human life, both as it has been and as it might be. It addresses topics including patterns of inequality, explanations of inequality, principles of equality and equality objectives, egalitarian social, political and economic institutions and strategies for change.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) is a national, independent non-governmental organisation that promotes the rights of migrants through information, legal advice, advocacy, lobbying, research and training work. The ICI is also an Independent Law Centre.