Non-discrimination
French equality body sounds alarm over extension of COVID-19 pass
France's equality agency, Défenseur des droits, has published a 10-point opinion paper raising concerns about the controversial extension of COVID-19 pass, which is now pending approval by the Constitutional Council on 5 August following approval by the French parliament.
9 in 10 hate crimes go unreported, EU fundamental rights agency finds
Up to 9 in 10 hate crimes and attacks in the EU still go unreported because victims face difficulty reporting them, do not trust the police and believe that nothing would change if they report it, according to a new study by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency.
Thousands march for LGBTQ rights in Budapest’s biggest Pride
Thousands of Hungarians marched in Budapest's biggest Pride parade on Saturday (24 July), amid tension sparked by a series of anti-gay steps by prime minister Viktor Orbán.
Renew MEP: Racism is an everyday phenomenon in our societies
Europe needs to face the fact that racism is not something that only happens in the US or elsewhere, but is an everyday phenomenon in our European societies, Hungarian MEP Anna Júlia Donáth (Renew Europe) told EURACTIV. She spoke about...
MEP: Diversity is ‘severely missing’ in European Parliament
Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by citizens to represent them and accordingly should reflect European society, an MEP from the Parliament’s Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI) told EURACTIV.
More support needed for national equality bodies, stakeholders warn
You can also read this article in Romanian. National equality bodies across Europe still struggle with different levels of independence and competencies, and the EU should do more to support their efforts in the fight against racial discrimination, experts and...
Orbán announces referendum on controversial LGBTQI+ law provisions
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced plans on Wednesday (21 July) to call a referendum on child protection issues to combat pressure from the European Union over legislation which the bloc says discriminates against LGBTQI+ people.
EU’s anti-racism coordinator: Collecting equality data is vital tool in fight against racism
Without measuring and quantifying the extent of discrimination and inequalities in Europe, it becomes very difficult to effectively tackle them, the EU’s first anti-racism coordinator, Michaela Moua, told EURACTIV. You can also read this interview in Romanian. Michaela Moua is...
EU equality bodies and the fight against racial discrimination
EU equality bodies have a significant potential to contribute to more equal societies, and they have proved to be effective agents of change. You can also read this Special Report in Romanian. Last September, the European Commission proposed an EU...
Orbán calls EU action on LGBT rights ‘legalised hooliganism’
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused the European Commission on Friday (16 July) of "legalised hooliganism" for launching an infringement action against measures taken by his government that the EU executive said discriminated against LGBT people.
EU companies can ban headscarves under certain conditions, court says
Companies in the European Union can ban employees from wearing a headscarf under certain conditions, if they need to do so to project an image of neutrality to customers, the EU's top court said on Thursday (15 July).
Commission goes after Hungary, Poland over LGBTQI+ rights
The European executive launched three proceedings against Hungary and Poland over what it sees as violations of fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ people on Thursday (15 July), leaving Budapest and Warsaw two months to respond to its concerns.
UN orders global systemic racism probe
The UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday (13 July) highlighted the global "scourge" of systemic racism and ordered an independent investigation into racially-fuelled police violence around the world.
Hungary rejects EU demand to ditch ‘shameful’ anti-LGBT law
Hungary on Wednesday (7 July) rejected a demand from the European Commission and many EU lawmakers to repeal new legislation banning schools from using materials deemed to promote homosexuality.
EU warns Hungary to fix anti-LGBTQ law or face action
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday (7 July) warned Hungary to reverse course on its controversial LGBTQ law, as pressure mounts on Brussels to cut EU funding to Budapest.
Georgia LGBTQ activists cancel Pride march after clashes
LGBTQ activists in Georgia said Monday (5 July) they had been forced to cancel a planned Pride march, as protesters assaulted activists and journalists and clashed with police hours after the prime minister denounced the event.
Pandemic takes toll on refugees’ school access
The difficulties facing refugee children in accessing education across the EU have been accentuated by the COVID–19 pandemic, according to new data, which painted a bleak picture of poor attendance and high drop-out rates.
Counting the cost of low teacher diversity
EU leaders agreed at a 2009 summit that they were committed to “attracting and retaining the best teachers in underperforming schools, strengthen leadership, increase the number of teachers with a migrant background”. But little progress appears to have been made.
Spain approves draft bill to allow gender self-identification
The Spanish government has approved proposed legislation that would grant citizens over the age of 14 the right to change their sex on the civil registry with no need for proof, witnesses, or medical certificates. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Discrimination in Europe’s schools
Policymakers across Europe have wrestled for many years with the question of whether and how schools discriminate or disadvantage certain ethnic groups, and how to mitigate this.
UK reports on discrimination in schools open up debate on deprivation
The question of whether the UK’s education systems discriminate against ethnic minorities has become highly politically charged and divisive, reflecting tensions that exist across much of the European Union.
Poland should copy Hungarian LGBT law, says Polish minister
Poland should copy a Hungarian law that bans schools from using materials seen as promoting homosexuality, the Polish education minister has said as the nationalist government attacks what it calls “LGBT ideology.”
EU faces challenge of closing Roma education divide
Increasing the number of Roma children in early childhood education by at least half, is at the heart of a ten year plan on Roma equality, inclusion and participation across the EU, announced by the European Commission in March.
Czech President Zeman calls transgender people ‘disgusting’
Czech President Miloš Zeman, commenting on a Hungarian law that bans LGBT material from schools, told a television interview on Sunday (27 June) that he finds transgender people "disgusting".Supporter
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