WAGGGS supports Joint Media Statement on anti-discrimination directive

On 16 June 2008, Commissioner Barrot confirmed to the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the European Commission will propose a cross-cutting directive aimed at combating discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, religion/belief and sexual orientation in areas outside the field of employment.  

We, civil society organisations as well as trade unions working for equality, human rights and social justice, warmly welcome this news and congratulate President Barroso and the European Commission on their consistent commitment to equality for all. We greatly appreciate their political leadership in making this important decision to extend the protection against discrimination to all non-discrimination grounds mentioned under the EU Treaty, and to ensure that all people in Europe are equally protected from discrimination and enjoy the same rights. We also thank the European Parliament for its strong support and we now hope that this initiative gets the full support of all EU Member States.

Signatories: 
ILGA-Europe – the European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)
ENAR – the European Network Against Racism 
ETUC – the European Trade Union Confederation
EWL – the European Women’s Lobby 
YFJ – the European Youth Forum 
EAPN – the European Anti-Poverty Network
SOLIDAR - a network of social and economic justice NGOs working in codevelopment and international cooperation, social policy and social service provision, and life-long learning 
AGE - the European Older People’s Platform