To support its work to strengthen National Equality Bodies, Equinet has prepared a brochure answering frequently asked questions relating to Equality Bodies, as well as a position paper to highlight where we would like to see amendments to the legislative proposals on standards for Equality Bodies.
What are National Equality Bodies?
Learn more about National Equality Bodies
National Equality Bodies are champions for the core EU value of equality and defenders of the right to non-discrimination. They are independent public institutions, assisting victims of discrimination, monitoring and reporting on discrimination issues, and contributing to an awareness of rights and a societal valuing of equality. They are legally required to do so in relation to one, some, or all of the grounds of discrimination covered by European Union (EU) law – gender, race and ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and disability.
Understanding what Equality Bodies do, and how they support and protect citizens across Europe is important for all of us. Equinet has updated its brochure to answer some frequently asked questions, and give a clear overview of the grounds on which Equality Bodies work across Europe. Learn more about National Equality Bodies in our updated Brochure.
Why do we need minimum standards for Equality Bodies?
Looking at the overview of grounds covered by Equinet members across Europe, it is evident that there is unequal protection against discrimination across Europe. But it goes further than that. Until now, provisions in EU legislation on Equality Bodies left a large discretion to the Member States as to the mandate, powers, independence, and resources of these bodies. Differences between the Member States in the structure and functioning of Equality Bodies result in differing levels of institutional protection against discrimination, depending on which country you live, and an inadequate implementation of the EU’s equal treatment legislation.
What standards for Equality Bodies do we want and need to have?
Equinet Position Paper
To tackle this issue, in December 2022, the European Commission proposed legislation for binding standards on the mandate, independence, resources, tasks and powers of Equality Bodies to (1) engage in the prevention of discrimination and awareness raising activities, and (2) deal with cases of discrimination/assist victims.
Once adopted, the Directives will be the first ever international, legally binding standards for Equality Bodies. This is an important step to better implement the EU’s equal treatment legislation, and ensure that our societies become more equal.
Equinet welcomes the Commission’s proposals, although Equality Bodies themselves have some suggestions for improvement. These are outlined in full in Equinet’s position paper ‘Moving forward the European Commission’s proposals for Directives strengthening Equality Bodies’.
It will now be important that EU Institutions and Member States show leadership in the field of equality by swiftly adopting, transposing and implementing the Directives with strong provisions and without any regression in existing standards.