Aristotelis Konstantinidis, Associate Professor of International Law and Human Rights at the University of Cyprus, Aristotelis Konstantinidis, is assuming the role of Chair of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). His two-and-a-half-year term begins on October 25, 2026, according to an announcement by the FRA.
Mr. Konstantinidis’s research focuses on international human rights law, particularly the rights of minorities, social rights, as well as the intersection of human rights and criminal justice.
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As noted in the announcement, he drafted Cyprus’s National Strategy on Human Rights and is currently supporting the development of the National Strategy for LGBTQI+ individuals. He is a member of the Steering Committee on Human Rights in the Fields of Biomedicine and Health of the Council of Europe (CDBIO), the National Bioethics Committee of Cyprus, and the Drafting Committee on Human Rights and Drug Policies (DH-PDA).
“It is a great honor for me to assume the chairmanship of the FRA’s Management Board at a time when fundamental rights are under increasing pressure,” Mr. Konstantinidis said, according to the announcement.
As he noted, the FRA’s “unique added value” lies in combining reliable and comparable data and expertise with close cooperation with stakeholders, in order to address the significant challenges arising from artificial intelligence, digitalization, inequalities, security, and migration.
He added that the Governing Board “plays a vital role” in setting the Agency’s strategic direction, supporting its effective governance, and ensuring its independence.
“I look forward to working with the Director and the Agency’s staff, its partners, and the other members of the Management Board to ensure that fundamental rights remain at the heart of decision-making in the EU,” he said.
The FRA thanked the outgoing Chair of the Management Board, Jim Clarken of Ireland, “for his leadership and commitment during his two terms.”
According to the press release, FRA Director Sirpa Rautio expressed her gratitude to Mr. Clarken for his dedication and support. At the same time, she welcomed Mr. Konstantinidis, noting that she particularly looks forward to working with him.
“In this environment of mounting geopolitical challenges, threats to established norms, and growing inequalities, a clear, decisive, and unified voice is needed from the FRA, its staff, management, and Governing Board, to ensure that fundamental rights remain the cornerstone of policymaking and lawmaking in the EU,” he said.
It should be noted that the Management Board oversees the FRA’s operations, sets the Agency’s strategic priorities, and approves its budget.
It consists of representatives from the 27 EU member states, observer states, the Council of Europe, and the European Commission. Every two and a half years, its members elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among themselves.
The current Vice Chair of the Governing Board, Astrid Kieldgaard-Pedersen of Denmark, was elected on May 19, 2026.
Source: CNA
