Aristoteles Constantinides, Associate Professor of International Law and Human Rights at the University of Cyprus, has taken up duty as the Chairperson of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
His two-and-a-half-year term began on 25 October 2026, according to an announcement by FRA.
Constantinides’ research focuses on international human rights law, particularly the rights of minorities, social rights, and the intersection of human rights and criminal justice. “He authored Cyprus’ National Human Rights Strategy and is currently supporting the drafting of the National Strategy for LGBTI persons,” it is noted. He is a member of the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO), the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee and the Drafting Committee on Human Rights and Drug Policies (DH-PDA).
"I am deeply honoured to serve as Chairperson of FRA’s Management Board at a time when fundamental rights face mounting pressures,” Constantinides said, according to the announcement. He noted that FRA’s “unique added value” lies in combining robust, comparable evidence and expertise with close stakeholder cooperation to address the profound challenges of artificial intelligence, digitalisation, inequalities, security, and migration.
He said that the Management Board “plays a vital role” in providing strategic direction, supporting effective governance and safeguarding FRA’s independence. “I look forward to working with the Agency’s Director and staff, its partners, and my fellow Board members to keep fundamental rights at the heart of EU decision-making,” he said.
FRA thanked outgoing Chairperson of the Board, Jim Clarken of Ireland, “for his leadership and commitment during his two terms in office.”
FRA Director Sirpa Rautio said, according to the announcement, that “it has been a pleasure” working with Clarken for the past two years, thanking him “for his dedication and support.” She also welcomes Constantinides, noting that she “very much” looks forward to working with him.
It is noted that the Management Board oversees FRA’s operations, sets the Agency’s strategic priorities and adopts its budget. It is composed of representatives from all 27 EU Member States, observer States, the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Every two and a half years, the Board elects a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from amongst its members. The current Vice-Chairperson of the Board, Astrid Kjeldgaard-Pedersen of Denmark, was elected on 19 May 2026.
Cyprus’ Ministry of Justice and Public Order on Sunday extended its “warm congratulations” to Constantinides, noting that the appointment of a Cypriot academic to the chairmanship of such an important European Union agency was “an honour” for the Republic of Cyprus and a recognition of his academic expertise, experience and contribution to the fields of international law and the protection of human rights.
The Ministry wishes Constantinides “every success” in his new duties and a fruitful and productive term of office, “for the benefit of our shared European values and the citizens of Cyprus and the European Union.”
(Source: CNA)
