The European Commission plans to publish a report on the implementation within the EU of the Racial Equality Directive, the Employment Equality Directive and the Recommendation on Standards for Equality Bodies, announced the Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, on Monday 29 June.
Ms Dalli was speaking at an online conference organised on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Racial Equality Directive (2000/43). It welcomed the progress that had been made possible by the adoption of this directive, which “implemented the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin”, such as the establishment of national equality bodies.
Recalling that, according to the 2019 Eurobarometer, almost six out of ten Europeans believe that discrimination based on ethnic origin is widespread within their country, she emphasised the fact that much work remains to be done.
Helena Dalli also acknowledged in particular that progress should be made regarding the proposal for a directive on equality, as put forward by the European Commission in 2008 and blocked in the EU Council ever since (see EUROPE 12356/16).
“The racial equality directive that we are celebrating today is very wide in scope. We should have the same comprehensive EU protection for the discriminations based on religion or belief, sexual orientation, age and disability”, said the Commissioner, who has been repeatedly questioned on this issue by MEPs in recent weeks (see EUROPE 12505/22, 12508/11).
Helena Dalli also said that she would lead the action plan for equality of racial and ethnic minorities, as announced last week at the end of the debate on racism held by the College of Commissioners (see EUROPE 12513/12).
Finally, she announced that the European strategic framework on equality and inclusion of Roma people would become operational on 12 October at an event organised by the German Presidency of the EU Council. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)