The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted by an overwhelming majority of its members (164 votes in favour, 1 against, 2 abstentions), on Wednesday 22 March, its position on the directives on equality bodies (see EUROPE 13145/23).
Overall, the Opinion endorses the European Commission’s proposals. It welcomes, in particular, the “explicit focus on promotion and prevention” and the legal obligation for “equality bodies to be free from external influence and to ensure that they have sufficient sustainable human, professional, technical and financial resources”.
Reinforcement
It also supports the obligation for public institutions to consult them and take their recommendations into account, but suggests that Member States should be held accountable for the fruits of these interactions.
At the same time, the EESC would like the Commission’s reports on equality bodies in the EU to be produced within three years, as opposed to five in the initial text, to ensure better monitoring.
Access to justice
The EESC also believes that the possibility for equality bodies to participate in legal proceedings is essential. However, it notes that this is already the case in “many Member States”, with some giving them powers beyond the minimum requirements of the directives. They should therefore avoid lowering existing standards, the Committee stresses.
The Committee also suggests a more victim-centred approach. It therefore calls for adequate protection to prevent complainants from remaining silent for fear of repercussions, compensation for damages and sanctions against offenders.
Information campaigns.
Finally, the Opinion proposes that information campaigns on EU equality rights should be funded by the Commission, but carried out at local level. Furthermore, it calls for systematic research on inequalities, as well as for taking into account the intersections between different discriminations.
To read the Opinion: https://aeur.eu/f/5z3 (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)