Brussels, 01/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - Last Thursday, the European Commission published a new study on "Specialised bodies to promote equality and/or combat discrimination". Drawn up by PLS Ramboll Management in the framework of a Community action programme to combat discrimination (2001-2006) at the Commission's request, this new EU study on national institutions aims to promote new equality bodies that deal with the subject of equality in its entirety rather than from the point of view of individual problems. It highlights the strengths and weaknesses of current institutions and encourages governments to ensure that their institutions have the necessary resources and independence to combat discrimination. The study analyses the workings of 21 national equality bodies in twelve Member states (Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom) and, notably, their role vis-à-vis direct victims of discrimination (information on rights and legislation, enquiries, assistance in conflict settlement, legal advice and representation in court proceedings), and their role in the political process and in the spread of information, research and awareness-raising. For the future, the study insists on the following elements: - the independence of institutions should be assured by a clear statute and mandate; - the political role of the institutions should be formalised, so that their powers are taken account of in legislative initiatives and in reviewing existing legislation; - assistance should be provided free-of-charge, to both victims and witnesses of discrimination; - the institutions should be authorised to undertake enquiries into cases of a more general public interest. (For details, see http: //europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamri/news_en.htm).