Anti-discrimination laws in Europe to be improved
April 3rd, 2009
LGBT people across the European Union are to have greater protection from discrimination.
The EU parliament has voted to increase current laws which ban discrimination in the workplace to include other areas including healthcare, commercial goods and services.
The legislation will protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, age, disability and religion.
A report published this week by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) found that discrimination against LGBT people was widespread throughout Europe.
Emine Bozkurt, a Dutch member of European Parliament described the win as a “wonderful victory” for human rights.
“Throughout the EU people are still discriminated, they are denied insurance, education or a home just because of their age, religion or sexual orientation,” said Bozkurt.
“Furthermore, at the moment only three countries in Europe have legislation against multiple-discrimination.
“This means for example that a gay woman in a wheelchair who is discriminated will usually be forced to choose on what ground she suspects the discrimination took place when she files a formal complaint.
“Thanks to Social-Democrat proposals people will no longer be forced to make such an absurd choice.”
Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, called the new legislation “long overdue”.
Lambert added “Despite the obvious benefits of greater equality in all areas of society, it has taken months of hard work to win support for the new legislation in the European Parliament. In the face of external pressure, I am delighted that a clear majority voted for these new rules.”
[via PinkNews]
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