EU Commission reverses course on anti-discrimination directive

The European Commission has revived its draft Equal Treatment Directive after public outcry and a 33,000-signature petition, reopening the path to stronger EU-wide anti-discrimination protections.

Just days after ILGA-Europe, together with All Out, ENAR, IGLYO, TGEU, ERGO Network, OII Europe, EL*C, and AGE Platform Europe, delivered a petition signed by more than 33,000 people to President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission has reversed its decision to withdraw the proposed Equal Treatment Directive.

The shift was confirmed by Euronews earlier today, following months of growing public pressure and strong criticism from civil society, the European Parliament and EU Member States. The law would extend anti-discrimination protections beyond employment and into everyday life.

First proposed in 2008, the Directive aims to close longstanding gaps in EU anti-discrimination law. It would protect people from discrimination based on age, disability, religion or belief, and sexual orientation in key areas such as education, housing, healthcare, and access to goods and services, and is a baseline to further expand comprehensive protection to all groups at risk of marginalisation across all areas of life.

Earlier this year, the Commission announced its intention to withdraw the proposal, citing a lack of agreement among Member States. ILGA-Europe and partner organisations condemned the move as a betrayal of fundamental rights, warning it sent a dangerous message at a time of rising hate and democratic decline.

In March, a coalition of equality organisations launched a joint petition calling on the Commission to reconsider. More than 33,000 people responded.

According to Euronews, the EU executive has brought the talks back “having considered the supportive position expressed by the European Parliament and by a large majority of member states in the Council”. 

Now that the proposal is back on the table, attention turns to the Council. Denmark, which currently holds the rotating EU Presidency, has pledged to bring the Directive to the December meeting of social affairs ministers. But key blockers remain. Czechia, Germany, and Italy continue to oppose the compromise text, and unanimity is still required for adoption.

Belinda Dear, Senior Advocacy Officer at ILGA-Europe said: “We are pleased to hear that the European Commission has put the draft Equal Treatment Directive back on the table, upholding democratic norms following the critical response from democratically elected MEPs and Member State leaders, as well as civil society representing marginalised groups. We will continue to work with all stakeholders towards a unanimous agreement in the Council. Comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation at EU level is long overdue, and particularly important now as hatred and discrimination is on the rise throughout Europe. We hope that all Member States will step up to the challenge.”