23/11/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 23 November, the European Parliament endorsed the position of the competent parliamentary committees (FEMM and EMPL) on two proposals for directives aimed at strengthening bodies for the protection of equal treatment in the countries of the European Union (see EUROPE 13288/22). For the MEPs, these bodies must be independent in the exercise of their mission, the management of their budget and their communication to the public. This requires the Member States to provide these bodies with sufficient financial and technical resources to enable them to attract qualified staff. These national bodies should also be empowered to provide free assistance to people affected by discrimination, to conduct investigations and to take legal action on their own initiative. Interinstitutional negotiations with the Council of the EU will begin at the end of November, with the Member States having adopted their position in July (see EUROPE 13199/3). (MB)