Combating discrimination in the EU – the long-awaited horizontal anti-discrimination directive
2.3.2023
Question for oral answer O-000011/2023
to the Commission
Rule 136
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
It has been 14 years since the European Parliament adopted its position on the horizontal anti-discrimination directive on 2 April 2009. Since then and despite repeated calls from Parliament, the proposal remains blocked in the Council. The adoption of the horizontal anti-discrimination directive would offer a comprehensive framework for combating discrimination at EU level and would remove loopholes in the existing framework in order to ensure equal protection from a horizontal approach and for everyone. In the current context of the increasing backlash against fundamental rights, it is urgent that the EU comply with its obligation to combat discrimination. Against this background:
- 1.What concrete actions has the Commission has taken to overcome the political deadlock on the proposed directive in the Council? What is the timetable and what concrete steps are planned for adopting the proposed directive? Will the Commission commit to adopting the proposed directive by the end of 2023?
- 2.The prohibition of discrimination is a right set out in both the EU Treaties and in international human rights treaties. What concrete actions and measures has the Commission taken and what action does it intend to take to ensure that the right to non-discrimination and equal treatment is respected across the EU in all key areas of life and for everyone?
- 3.What options are being explored by the Commission to unblock the negotiations on the proposed directive in the Council? Is the Commission considering using the passerelle clause to eliminate the unanimity requirement in the Council, as suggested in its communication of 16 April 2019 entitled ‘More efficient decision-making in social policy: Identification of areas for an enhanced move to qualified majority voting’?
- 4.What concrete steps is the Commission taking to ensure that the EU and its Member States implement the extensive Court of Justice of the EU and European Court of Human Rights case-law on anti-discrimination that has been developed since the proposed directive was first presented? How is the Commission monitoring the implementation?
Submitted: 2.3.2023
Lapses: 3.6.2023