Brussels, 11/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 10 June the European Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) called on the EU and its member states to strengthen fundamental rights despite the current crisis. FRA director Morten Kjaerum commented on the occasion of the publication of the FRA's annual report that many positive initiatives were developed in 2009 to ensure protection of fundamental rights and in this time of economic crisis, it is more important than ever for the EU to ensure that the protection of fundamental rights does not deteriorate. The annual report identifies a raft of areas where more work is required, like data protection, extreme exploitation in the workplace, children's rights, tackling racism and discrimination and problems suffered by gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals. The FRA urges EU member states to ensure that bodies set up in their countries to promote fundamental rights are genuinely able to ensure that fundamental rights become a reality for everyone within the EU. Research carried out by the FRA in 2009 reveals that a large number of bodies for promoting equality, human rights and data protection are under-resourced, not truly independent, badly managed or are given over-restrictive mandates. The FRA annual report for 2010 can be found at: http: //fra.europa.eu (B.C./transl.fl)