Equal rights: Green MEP proposes blueprint for new anti-discrimination legislation
16/11/2006
By
ILGA-Europe
Dutch Green MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg has presented a proposal for a
directive on anti-discrimination to the European Commission. The proposal is
aimed to act as a blueprint for legislation to address unresolved issues
concerning the unequal treatment of European citizens. Commenting on the
proposal, Kathalijne Buitenweg said:
"At present, there is no EU legislation to prevent someone who is gay or
disabled from being refused a loan or housing. However, this is not the case
for discrimination on the basis of the colour of the skin. This is a
disturbing anomaly and the EU Commission should come forward with
legislation to resolve this without delay.
"European legislation prohibits unequal treatment on the basis of race or
ethnic context in a wide range of areas, however there is no such provision
for discrimination on grounds of religious conviction, handicap, age, sexual
orientation, to name a few. Only in the field of labour and employment is
there a comprehensive ban on discrimination. Thus unequal treatment is still
possible in a lot of other areas such as social security, health care,
education and access to goods and services."
Commissioner Frattini said last 16 January that he wants to adapt the
legislation, but that the Commission has not presented a proposal because it
would not obtain required the unanimity in the Council of Ministers.
In 2000, Kathalijne Buitenweg acted as rapporteur for the directive against
race discrimination, which was adopted.
See also Green Group in European Parliament
http://www.greens-efa.org/index.htm
And (in dutch only)
http://www.groenlinks.nl/europa/n.../nieuwsbericht.2006-11-14.4358834175
http://kathalijnebuitenweg.hyves.nl/#
directive on anti-discrimination to the European Commission. The proposal is
aimed to act as a blueprint for legislation to address unresolved issues
concerning the unequal treatment of European citizens. Commenting on the
proposal, Kathalijne Buitenweg said:
"At present, there is no EU legislation to prevent someone who is gay or
disabled from being refused a loan or housing. However, this is not the case
for discrimination on the basis of the colour of the skin. This is a
disturbing anomaly and the EU Commission should come forward with
legislation to resolve this without delay.
"European legislation prohibits unequal treatment on the basis of race or
ethnic context in a wide range of areas, however there is no such provision
for discrimination on grounds of religious conviction, handicap, age, sexual
orientation, to name a few. Only in the field of labour and employment is
there a comprehensive ban on discrimination. Thus unequal treatment is still
possible in a lot of other areas such as social security, health care,
education and access to goods and services."
Commissioner Frattini said last 16 January that he wants to adapt the
legislation, but that the Commission has not presented a proposal because it
would not obtain required the unanimity in the Council of Ministers.
In 2000, Kathalijne Buitenweg acted as rapporteur for the directive against
race discrimination, which was adopted.
See also Green Group in European Parliament
http://www.greens-efa.org/index.htm
And (in dutch only)
http://www.groenlinks.nl/europa/n.../nieuwsbericht.2006-11-14.4358834175
http://kathalijnebuitenweg.hyves.nl/#
