In a joint statement published on Monday 25 March, nine European organisations dedicated to equality and the fight against discrimination call for concrete action to strengthen fundamental rights and combat racism during the next mandate.
These organisations, including the European Disability Forum, ILGA-Europe, the AGE European Platform, the European Network Against Racism, ERGO Network, OII Europe, IGLYO, EL*C and Transgender Europe, denounce an increase in inequalities and resistance against human rights and minorities.
They propose specific measures such as the appointment of a European Commissioner for Equality with a “strong mandate”, the creation of a Directorate-General for Equality and Fundamental Rights and the development of robust strategies for these issues beyond 2025.
In addition, they advocate the establishment of an annual Equality Forum, an EU Council configuration on equality, adequate funding for NGOs working on these issues and a non-discriminatory approach in the EU’s external action.
The organisations insist on the meaningful participation of equality stakeholders in the EU and call for the staff of the European institutions to reflect and be trained in European diversity. They conclude that only by working together can the EU truly become a “Union of Equality” that reflects its motto “United in Diversity”.
The statement: https://aeur.eu/f/bhz (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)