Press Release: Commission closes legal cases after Spain, Slovakia and Malta adapt race equality laws

On 20 November 2009 the European Commission decided to close infringement proceedings against Spain, Slovakia and Malta following their successful implementation of EU rules to tackle racial discrimination. The cases had been opened because national legislation in these countries was incompatible with the EU's Race Equality Directive (2000/43/EC), adopted in November 2000. The Directive prohibits direct and indirect discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin both in and outside employment.