Press Release: Commission welcomes speedy accord on race discrimination rules

The European Commission has welcomed the Council of Ministers agreement on 6.6.00 on a directive banning racial discrimination at the workplace and beyond. Speaking in Luxembourg, EU Employment and Social Policy Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said 'This agreement, only a year after the Amsterdam Treaty came into force, is a clear sign of the commitment of the Community institutions to people's fundamental rights. The directive will strengthen protection against racial discrimination across the Community and shows that we can make a practical and positive difference to the everyday lives of our people'.

This Directive is the first measure to be adopted under the new powers to combat discrimination introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty. It prohibits racial discrimination in the areas of employment, education, social security, healthcare and access to goods and services and ensures that victims of discrimination will have rights of redress in all Member States. It also requires Member States to designate a body for the promotion of equal treatment which will provide independent assistance to victims of discrimination in pursuing complaints.