Equal rights in practice. Key voices 2004. Critical factors and actors for enforcing the non-discrimination Directives

Summary:

This thematic brochure is produced under the European Community Action Programme to combat discrimination (2001-2006). This programme was established by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Employment and Social Affairs as a pragmatic support to ensuring effective implementation of the two Directives on “Race” and “Equal treatment in the workplace” (2000) emanating from Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty. The six-year Programme primarily targets all stakeholders capable of exerting influence on the development of appropriate and effective antidiscrimination legislation and policies, across the EU-25, EFTA and the EU candidate countries. The Action Programme has three main objectives. These are: 1. To improve the understanding of issues related to discrimination 2. To develop the capacity to tackle discrimination effectively 3. To promote the values underlying the fight against discrimination As such activities funded under the Programme analyse and evaluate, develop and raise awareness of measures that combat discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. Discrimination on the grounds of gender is dealt with under separate legislative instruments.