Liberal Democrat MEP launches EU anti-discrimination petition

21 Apr 2008

Liberal Democrat MEP launches EU anti-discrimination petition
17/04/2008

A new petition to convince the European Commission and Member States to bring forward a European anti-discrimination directive has been launched today by ALDE MEP Liz Lynne (Lib Dem, UK).

Current EU anti-discrimination laws outlaw discrimination in the workplace on all grounds but only provide protection against discrimination in access to goods and services on the basis of gender and race while disability, age, sexual orientation and religion are excluded.

The MEP is seeking support from people and organisations across Europe to put pressure on the EU Commission and Member States to bring forward a horizontal directive, after it emerged that some Member States have expressed strong objections to the proposal.

Liz Lynne MEP, Vice-President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, is rapporteur for a European Parliament own initiative report calling for a horizontal directive, adopted by committee last week.

Speaking in Brussels, Liz Lynne said:

"Anti-discrimination and the protection of human rights are the fundamental principles of the European Union and it is vital that the millions of people currently excluded from anti-discrimination legislation in access to goods and services are given the equal rights they are entitled to as European citizens.

"Millions of individuals encounter discrimination everyday. A comprehensive horizontal directive covering access to goods and services would tackle this discrimination and break down the barriers currently faced by so many.

"My hope is that this petition will contribute to the groundswell of organisations and individuals calling for this legislation and convince President Barroso, Member States and MEPs of their obligation to put in place tangible rights for all people, not just a few."

The report was adopted by a majority with 29 MEPs in favour and 19 against, with 2 abstentions. EPP-ED MEPs voted against. The report now proceeds to a plenary session in Strasbourg where it will be voted on by the whole European Parliament in May.

Current anti-discrimination legislation is enshrined in the Employment Directive 2000, Equal Treatment Directive and the Race Directive. The European Commission made a commitment in its 2008 legislative work programme to complete the anti-discrimination package and bring forward a horizontal directive outlawing discrimination in access to goods and services on all remaining grounds under Article 13 of the EC Treaty. These areas include discrimination on the basis of disability, age, sexual orientation and religion amongst others.

Dear friends,

The campaign to save a new anti-discrimination directive that would cover all the grounds (disability, age, religion/belief and sexual orientation) continues!

Yesterday, MEP Liz Lynne launched a petition to call on the Commission and Member States to bring forward a comprehensive, inclusive anti-discrimination directive.

Please sign this petition and circulate it widely!

The petition can be found here: www.signtostopdiscrimination.org

It takes 2-3 minutes to do and will help us in our efforts!

Many thanks in advance for your ongoing support!

Evelyne

www.signtostopdiscrimination.org