Non-discrimination

The Brief – The politics of the knee

The European championship is a big deal for football fans. UEFA’s marquee event, outranked only by the World Cup. Yet you wouldn’t guess it this year. The build-up to the tournament, delayed for one year by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been muted in the extreme.

Difficult but not impossible – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Brussels

It has been a year since George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, sparking global protests and renewed demands for the recognition of equality. What progress has Europe made on diversity? Corinna Horst, Audrey Flore-Ngomsik and Emma Rainey take a closer look.

ECHR rules against Romania over LGBT complaint

Europe's top court on Tuesday (1 June) condemned Romania for having failed to either prevent or prosecute the disruption by far-right protesters of a film screening held by an LGBT group.

Ambassadors call on Poland to protect LGBT rights

Dozens of ambassadors to Warsaw on Monday (17 May) called for the protection of LGBT rights in Poland, whose record on the issue was found to be the worst in the EU by an international watchdog. Gay rights have become...

Impasse deepens in Poland over new ombudsman

Poland's Senate on Thursday (13 May) rejected the latest candidate for the politically sensitive role of national ombudsman, deepening an impasse that has pitted the ruling conservative party against opponents who say it is eroding democratic rights.

Women’s rights: Sign and ratify the Istanbul Convention

The Istanbul Convention is a milestone in the fight against gender-based violence. We are determined to ensure full implementation and enforcement in our countries, write high-level signatories from seventeen European countries. Signatories are ministers from 16 European countries.** Today we...

Time to raise awareness of €1.5bn EU equality and rights programme, says leading MEP

Last month, European lawmakers proclaimed the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programmes as the largest ever amount of EU funding dedicated to promoting the bloc's values such as democracy and fundamental rights.

In first, WTO names women to half of deputy chief posts

World Trade Organization head Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday (4 May) named two women to the WTO's four deputy leader jobs for the first time in its history.

Belgium must halt police race violence and end racial profiling, says UN committee

Belgium must take action to tackle ‘police-related racial violence’ and racial profiling, according to new recommendations by a UN committee published on Monday (3 May).

Burns death of homophobia victim shocks Latvia

The death of a gay Latvian man this week after his clothes were soaked with fuel and lit on fire has shocked the country, with campaigners calling it a homophobic attack and accusing police of inaction.

Anti-LGBT discrimination ‘damages Eastern Europe’s economic growth’

Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people costs Eastern European countries almost 2% a year in economic growth, a coalition of dozens of global companies promoting LGBT+ inclusion said on Tuesday (27 April).

Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of ‘apartheid’ crimes against Palestinians

An international rights watchdog accused Israel on Tuesday (27 April) of pursuing policies of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians - and against its own Arab minority - that amount to crimes against humanity.

Von der Leyen says ‘sofagate’ shows need to tackle sexism

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Monday (26 April) her recent treatment in Turkey, where she was denied a chair at top-level talks, underscores the EU's need to tackle sexism.

French hijab ban risks further excluding Muslim girls from practicing sports

The French Senate's vote this month to amend the country's so-called "separatism" bill aims to ban the wearing of the hijab in sports competitions, which according to many risks further excluding Muslim girls from participating in sports. EURACTIV France reports.

EU will unveil anti-Semitism strategy as part of anti-racism programme, says Schinas

The EU will set out a comprehensive strategy to combat anti-Semitism this year as part of a €1.5 billion programme to support fundamental rights across the bloc, Commissioner Margaritis Schinas said on Tuesday (20 April).

Bulgaria must allow baby of same-sex couple to travel: EU adviser

Bulgaria must find a way to allow the stateless baby of a same-sex couple from Bulgaria and Gibraltar to travel, a legal adviser of EU's top court said Thursday (15 April).

Romani inclusion requires binding EU legislation, says MEP

On the occasion of International Romani Day on 8 April, MEP Romeo Franz (Greens/EFA) spoke with EURACTIV about the continued challenges that Romani communities across Europe face and the importance of legally binding legislation.

Nordic countries set up Sámi reconciliation commissions to investigate indigenous injustices

Colonial era policies in northern Scandinavia continue to affect Sámi life, culture and land use. Meanwhile, truth commissions are being set up and aim to investigate injustices against Indigenous people carried out by the states. There are an estimated 100,000...

‘Falling like flies’: Hungary’s Roma community pleads for COVID help

Coronavirus infections are ravaging Hungary's 700,000-strong Roma community, according to personal accounts that suggest multiple deaths in single families are common in an unchecked outbreak fuelled by deep distrust of authorities.

Vulnerable adult victims of hate crime struggle to file complaints

Portugal's minister of justice has said the main difficulty for vulnerable adult victims of hate crime or gender violence in Europe lies in making a complaint to the formal instances, as "fear" is the main barrier to overcome.

Rise of nationalist parties threatens to stall progress on race discrimination in Belgium

In 2021, Belgium will mark 40 years since the national Anti-Racism Act was passed. However, despite efforts to combat racism and ethnic discrimination, complaints of racism rose by almost 50% in 2020.

MEPs call for greater regulation of AI discrimination

The European Parliament's culture and education committee endorsed on 15 March an opinion calling for a framework to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in order to "reduce gender, social or cultural bias in technology", and the European Commission is expected to propose a legislative framework for the matter in April. EURACTIV France reports.

German school system still holds back children of migrants, experts say

In Germany, how well a child does in school is closely linked to their parental background, with immigrants and their children worst affected by structural inequalities. Opposition politicians are calling for reforms, but experts fear there is a lack of political will for the necessary overhaul.