About: Discrimination

Slovakia closes off five Roma settlements due to coronavirus

Slovakia has closed off several Roma settlements in the eastern part of the country after reports of a cluster of coronavirus cases in five of them, highlighting difficulties faced by Europe’s largest ethnic minority during the pandemic.

The Roma are among most threatened by coronavirus in Europe

Roma and Travellers have long been known to fall through the social net and their situation has only worsened during the ongoing Covid-19 emergency, write Shannon Pfohman and Thomas Hackl.

COVID-19 crisis triggers EU racism against Asians, rights agency says

There has been a spike in recorded cases of racist abuse against people perceived to be of Chinese or Asian descent in the European Union amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the European Union's Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said in a report published on Wednesday (8 April).

Bulgarian authorities struggle to enforce containment with Roma population

In Bulgaria, home to a large Roma population, the authorities are struggling to enforce the strict containment measures generally respected by the majority of the population. On top of that, many Bulgarian Roma are said to have returned from Western Europe in recent days.

Hungary plans citizen survey against court compensations for Roma

Hungary’s right-wing government plans next month to survey its citizens to determine whether the courts should stop financially compensating Roma for discrimination and prisoners for mistreatment. Critics say the government survey will pave the way for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán...

25 years fighting racism and intolerance across Europe

As the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) marks its 25th anniversary. Maria Pejčinović Burić takes stock of its successes and future priorities.

Nord Stream 2 takes unusual legal step against the Commission

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline company has taken an unusual legal step in its dispute with the European Commission by asking the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) to annul the amendments to the Gas Directive which the Gazprom-led...

Pope pleads for European unity, warns against fear-mongers

Pope Francis made an impassioned plea for Europe to stick together and revive the ideals of its founders on Sunday (2 June), saying ideologies and fear-mongering politicians were threatening its very existence as a bloc.

Time for truth, recognition and reconciliation for Roma in Europe

EU leaders must show that they take Roma rights and anti-Roma discrimination seriously. That means recognising their cultural identity and contribution to Europe, truth and reconciliation, argue a group of political leaders and campaigners.

All eyes on EU’s anti-discrimination efforts

Associations working to fight against inequalities are calling on the EU to adopt a more aggressive policy against fraudulent employers. This approach echoes a survey showing that the majority of French people are closely following this issue. EURACTIV France reports.    

Israel reprimands EU envoy in row over discriminatory bill

Israel summoned the EU ambassador yesterday (12 July) over allegations of interference in the passage of a controversial law which could pave the way for Jewish-only communities.

EU owes a strategy for inclusion to black people in Europe

Black people continue to experience some of the highest rates of discrimination in Europe, and the refugee crisis has made things even worse, writes Karen Taylor.

Greece limits power of sharia law for its Muslim minority

The Greek parliament yesterday (9 January) made the practice of Islamic sharia law in family disputes optional for the country's Muslim minority, changing a century-old legacy.

Eastern Europeans bite back over ‘food apartheid’

It looks like Nutella, smells like Nutella and yet doesn't quite taste like the famous Italian chocolate spread. Eastern European leaders are fuming after tests suggested that big Western brands use cheaper ingredients in food products sold in former communist countries.

ECJ plans to rule on same-sex marriage in Romania

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is set to rule on same-sex marriage in a landmark Romanian case, but religious freedom groups are rooting for a win for national sovereignty.

US embassies ordered to identify population groups for tougher visa screening

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has directed US diplomatic missions to identify "populations warranting increased scrutiny" and toughen screening for visa applicants in those groups, according to diplomatic cables seen by Reuters.

Hungarian parliament defies Orbán by rejecting migrant ban

Hungary's parliament on Tuesday  (8 November) narrowly rejected a plan by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to ban the resettlement of migrants in the country, a setback for the maverick leader that could weaken him in his fight against EU migration policies.

Orbán threatens to sue EU over mandatory migrant quotas

Hungary will sue the European Commission and resist mandatory migrant resettlement quotas if Brussels does not take them off the agenda, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Friday (28 October).

Survey: EU citizens want equal rights for foreign residents

Despite the rise of populism in Europe, most EU citizens broadly reject the idea of national preference for employment, according to a survey carried out in five European countries. EURACTIV France reports.

Orbán says EU should deport all illegal migrants, attacks UK

Hungary's prime minister said the European Union should round up and deport all illegal immigrants and assemble them in EU-supervised refugee camps beyond the bloc's borders where they can then file for asylum.

Poll: British public heavily in favour of burqa ban

Twice as many British people support a ban on women wearing a burqa than oppose one, with a majority also in favour of outlawing the burkini, according to a poll published Thursday (31 August).

Smartphone app lets users decide fate of Netherlands refugees

Looking to change public perception about migrants in the Netherlands, two journalists have launched a Smartphone app that dramatizes the asylum-seeking process and lets users ask tough questions of would-be refugees.

Ban on headscarves and religious clothing is discrimination

Muslim women wearing headscarves are facing yet another hurdle on the path towards inclusion and employment in the European labour market, writes Michaël Privot.