Europese Commissie komt met nieuw Actieplan tegen discriminatie (en)
A vast majority of respondents (88%) responding to the Commission's Green Paper consultation on 'Equality and non-discrimination in the European Union' said that the EU should step up its efforts to combat discrimination following enlargement. One of the Commission's first steps will be to issue a Communication on anti-discrimination before the end of 2005.
Vladimír Špidla, the new EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, emphasised that this is a crucial area. 'As President Barroso told the European Parliament, fundamental rights and the fight against discrimination are a top priority for the new Commission. This Green Paper consultation gives us a solid base for a broad EU agenda against all forms of discrimination
The Green Paper consultation received a strong response, with more than 1500 contributions sent to the Commission. Of these just over 1,000 were received from individuals, with the remainder coming from organisations or institutions.[1]
Two EU Directives[2] approved in 2000 already ban discrimination in the areas of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. However, opinions are divided as to whether these new rules have yet had a tangible impact. National authorities, equality bodies and employers felt that the new legislation's effects had kicked in - but individuals and NGOs generally disagreed. Overall, 49% of respondents felt the new legislation had had limited or no impact. This may be due to certain Member States' delays in implementing the new rules.
A similar split in opinion occurred on whether existing legislation provides sufficient cover. Some stakeholders want to bring the level of protection against discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, age, disability and sexual orientation into line with protection against racial discrimination. However, some (not least national authorities) feel that further legislative action in this area would be premature.
Respondents felt that legislation is the most effective tool in addressing discrimination (34.2%), more than awareness raising (31.8%) and affirmative action (22.6%). But lack of awareness about people's rights featured among the most important obstacles in fighting discrimination, along with discriminatory attitudes and behaviour, and incomplete national implementation of legislation.
Respondents recognised the important added value provided by EU funding, particularly the contribution made by the Community action programme to combat discrimination[3].
They urged the Commission to continue its support for the efforts of national authorities, civil society organisations and others to combat discrimination, by providing opportunities for exchanges of experience and joint action at EU level. Respondents also considered that support for non-discrimination should be "mainstreamed" across a range of other EU policy and funding instruments, including the Structural Funds.
The Commission's Communication will set out the broad agenda for following up on the issues in the Green Paper consultation, including how to involve all of the key stakeholders (national, regional and local authorities; civil society organisations; the social partnes; specialised equality bodies) in developing EU anti-discrimination policy and legislation. The Commission will also launch a feasibility study in early 2005 to examine possible initiatives to complement the EU legal framework for tackling discrimination.
[1] For detailed figures on responses to the Green Paper, see http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/greenpaper_en.htm
[2] See http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/legis/legln_en.htm
[3] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/prog/index_en.htm