Equality Today | Issue 12 | May 2021

Equinet@Work

#RaceEthnicOrigin  #DataCollection

Why we need to REVEAL – views on racism & data collection in Europe 

The collection of racial/ethnic equality data in a coherent and comprehensive manner can reveal inequalities and help design effective equality policies. Our new blogpost by Daris J. Lewis Recio, highlights how improved data collection could strengthen the fight against racism.  
 
#LGBTIQ

Implementing the EC LGBTIQ Strategy

Our Roundtable on LGBTIQ Equality Strategy aimed to identify the best ways to cooperate for a successful implementation of the LGBTIQ Strategy and to identify the roles national equality bodies can play. Read the summary report for our main takeaways.

#Healthcare

Webinar Series on Equality, Diversity and Non-Discrimination in Healthcare

• 22/06 –  State of Play: Equality and non-discrimination in the access to healthcare
• 24/06 – COVID-19: The Pandemic that changed it all?
• 28/06 – Healthcare services and systemic equality
• 30/06 – Working together towards an egalitarian healthcare service provision

Members@Work

#Standards

Poland must ensure a strong & independent equality body

As the process continues to appoint a new Commissioner for Human Rights in Poland, our joint statement with other human rights organisations urges national authorities to ensure a smooth transition and to take every care that the institution can continue to work effectively and independently throughout the selection and appointment process.

#Healthcare #RaceEthnicOrigin

Sweden: Systemic racism & access to healthcare services

The Swedish Equality Ombudsman has secured a major win in an important case concerning discrimination in healthcare services. The ruling followed a six day trial in what is to date the largest discrimination case ever in Sweden. In a ruling delivered on 26 May, the District Court of Gothenburg held that a Regional health care provider had discriminated a Muslim man of African origin for reasons linked to his ethnic origin. Read more about the case, including compensation received here.

#ReligionBelief  

Belgium: Public transport company condemmed for discrimination in hiring a woman wearing a headscarf 

Unia has shared the decision by the Belgian Labour Court on 3 May regarding a case of discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief and indirect discrimination on the ground of gender against a Muslim woman, who the Brussels Intercommuncal Transport Company (STIB) refused to hire twice for wearing a headscarf. Read Unia’s article about the case (available in French & Dutch) here. 
 
#Disability

Cyprus: Equal participation in elections for persons with disabilities

There are elections in Cyprus this weekend. The Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman) has been working hard to highlight how to ensure equal participation of persons with disabilities. Read more about their Ex-Officio Statement and Awareness Raising Campaign here.
 
#HumanRights

UK: Tracking Human Rights within the UN System

The Equality and Human Rights Commission Human Rights Tracker monitors and analyses UK Government progress against seven UN Treaties, the Universal Periodic Review framework, as well as tracking ongoing progress in implementing human rights. Recent updates include new assessments of government action and progress in relation to 12 additional human rights topics, including hate crime and hate speech, mental health and educational attainment.

Partners@Work

#EqualityLegislation

Has EU equality legislation delivered 20 years on?

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights’ Opinion looks at people’s experiences of discrimination in light of EU equality legislation, particularly the racial and employment equality directives.  One way to better protect people against unequal treatment, is for EU and its Member States to provide equality bodies with the necessary human, technical and financial resources, and mandates to support victims of discrimination and promote equal treatment. 
Read Equinet's paper on what legislation for stronger, more effective equality bodies could look like. 

#LGBTIQ

Mapping LGBTI equality laws and practices across Europe

LGBTI equality has not seen much positive change in the past year, and in trans rights, there has actually been an alarming loss of rights. Check ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map, Transgender Europe’s Trans Rights Map and OII’s Intersex Good Practice Map to see developments in your country over the past year.