Strategic meeting on standards for equality bodies: Next Steps

May 23, 2017

Objectives

The Objectives of the meeting were to:

Consider and review progress made since the publication of the Equinet Working Paper on Standards for Equality Bodies in 2016.
Discuss the follow-up at national level.
Identify opportunities, strategies and inputs to progress standards at national/European and international levels;
Consider next steps and concrete outputs for the short and medium term.

Introductory Discussions

Mr. Szabolcs Schmidt, Head of Unit for Non-Discrimination and Roma Coordination (European Commission DG Justice and Consumers) joined participants for a lunch meeting and informal exchanges on the issue of standards for equality bodies.

Mr. Schmidt underlined that equality bodies make an important contribution to implementing the EU directives, without them the legislation would not be much more than a piece of paper. While he welcomed the diversity in how equality bodies are set up, organised, and operate, he opined that there is a need for certain minimum standards.

In reaction to Mr. Schmidt’s introduction equality body representatives shared some thoughts on their organisation’s situation and practical challenges such as political influencing, challenges to their independence, or disproportionate budget cuts suffered. They emphasized that as the setting up of equality bodies was a direct result of EU legislation in many jurisdictions, equality bodies look to the European Commission for cooperation, support and upholding standards not only in legislation and legal practice, but also concerning independence, and effectiveness of equality bodies.

State of Affairs

The Session started with a report from Ms. Evelyn Collins, Equinet chair, recalling the state of affairs, Equinet activities and external developments since the publication of the Equinet Working Paper. Important milestones included:

Contacts with European Commissioner Vera Jourová and the cabinet of First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans.
Council conclusions on LGBTI and gender equality adopted in June 2016
Developments and mentions of standards for equality bodies by Council of Europe and United Nations bodies.

Ms. Collins concluded that a lot of largely positive developments took place in the past two years and encouraged members to look at how we can move forward and capitalize on these.

Participants reported on the use they have made of the Equinet Working Paper, including

translating it to their national language(s);
uploading it on their website;
mentioning it in their annual report;
issuing a press release;
using it in their reports to UN bodies
using it in evaluating their work;
requesting further powers from the national legislator;
and inviting academics and NGOs to respond to the Working Paper and support standards for equality bodies.

ECRI General Policy Recommendation No.2.

Twenty years after the adoption of the original version of GPR No. 2 in 1997, ECRI has decided to revise its text in order to include the experience and the many good practices that have developed during this time. The revised text shall help to further strengthen specialised bodies, which are vital for advancing equality and for eliminating racism and intolerance in a sustained manner.

A seminar with equality bodies will take place on 23-24 May with the aim of discussing the draft developed by ECRI’s working group with specialised bodies and to include their experience and standpoints.

Participants’ shared their views on the text of the GPR circulated for comments and while everyone welcomed the revision of the GPR, a diversity of views was apparent on the details.

Next Steps

Equinet will continue to engage on this topic at European level, not least as part of the ECRI conference taking place on this topic on 23-24 May 2017. Our 10th anniversary celebration, taking place on 10 October 2017, will also come back to this topic, especially from the point of view of promoting equality in a challenging environment.