16/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Dutch MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg (Greens/EFA) unveiled a draft directive on combatting discrimination to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 14 November. The draft directive was immediately submitted to the European Commission. In a press release, Buitenweg explained: 'European legislation prohibits unequal treatment on the basis of race or ethnic context in a wide range of areas. However, there is no such provision for discrimination on grounds of religious conviction, handicap, age, sexual orientation, to name only a few.' Buitenweg wants the Commission to issue new legislation to counter discrimination as soon as possible. Legislative problems in this field arise from the fact that the Council of the EU has to decide by unanimous voting (under Article 13 of the EC Treaty). (bc)