Equality Today | Issue 56 | Winter Edition 2025

Check in this issue:

#UpcomingEvents
#EquinetNews
#EqualityLawInPractice
#GenderEquality
#Race&EthnicOrigin

#HumanRights
#EULaw
#EUNews

#ArtificialIntelligence

What do Equality Bodies do?

Equality Bodies help educate institutions to prevent discrimination and ensure individuals with disabilities can fully exercise their rights.

Petr, a man with a mild intellectual disability, was denied access to his bank accounts because the bank mistakenly believed his guardian’s consent was required for all financial transactions. This misinterpretation of his guardianship status prevented him from managing his own money.

Petr reached out to the Office of the Public Defender of Rights, who clarified that his guardianship allowed him to act independently, having the power to choose to request the support of his guardian. 

How did the Czech Office of the Public Defender of Rights promote the inclusion of people with disabilities?

#EquinetNews

Equinet Publishes Recommendations for a Stronger EU Civil Society Space

Equinet has released a new recommendation, “A Fair, Thriving and Equal Civil Society Space in Europe,” setting out concrete recommendations for the upcoming EU Civil Society Strategy. The publication underscores the essential role that civil society - including equality bodies, NGOs and grassroots organisations - plays in safeguarding democracy, promoting equality, and defending fundamental rights. It calls for a safe and enabling environment for civil society, including protection from interference, sustainable funding, and meaningful participation in policymaking processes. Explore the full recommendation via the link above!

#EqualityLawInPractice

#GenderEquality

New WHO Report Highlights Key Health Trends — November 2025 

In November 2025, World Health Organization (WHO) published a comprehensive report that draws on the latest data to assess health trends globally. The report reveals significant insights into public health challenges, including the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, gaps in access to essential healthcare services, and the ongoing impact of social determinants on health outcomes. It underscores the urgent need for robust, equity-focused health policies and improved access to care - especially for marginalized communities. Access the full report at the link above!

#Race&EthnicOrigins

Have Your Say: Call for Evidence on National Roma Strategic Frameworks

The European Commission has opened a call for evidence on the implementation of National Roma Strategic Frameworks. Stakeholders - including civil society organisations, Roma communities, equality bodies, and individuals - are invited to share their experiences, data, and insights until 19 December 2025. This is a unique chance to inform the third Commission report on Roma inclusion across the EU and influence future policy and funding priorities. We strongly encourage all members and partners to contribute their evidence at the link above!

#HumanRights

FRA Launches New EU Human Rights Structures Database

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has launched a new Human Rights Structures Database, offering a central hub of information on Member States’ human rights frameworks and compliance. Bringing together data from EU, UN and Council of Europe mechanisms, as well as ECtHR and CJEU case law, the tool helps equality bodies, NGOs and advocates quickly track obligations, reforms and gaps across a wide range of rights areas. It is a valuable new resource for anyone working to strengthen equality and fundamental rights in Europe. Take a look at the database at the link above!

#EULaw

EPRS Study Highlights Persistent Gaps in Protection Without the Equal Treatment Directive

A new study from the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) underscores how the long-standing stalemate on the Equal Treatment Directive continues to leave gaps in protection across the EU. Seventeen years after the proposal was tabled, discrimination in areas such as housing, healthcare, education and access to services remains insufficiently addressed in many Member States. The EPRS analysis finds that national systems alone are not closing these gaps, pointing to the need for coordinated EU action. As the issue returns to the agenda of the December EPSCO Council, the report provides timely evidence to inform discussions on ensuring comprehensive and consistent anti-discrimination safeguards. You can read the full study at the link above and a three-page summary here.

#EUNews

Commission Guide on Effective Sanctions for Discrimination Now Available in All EU Languages

The European Commission has issued a good practice guide to help Member States, equality bodies, courts, practitioners and civil society strengthen the enforcement of EU non-discrimination law. The guide offers practical advice on ensuring sanctions for discrimination are effective, proportionate and dissuasive, and is now available in all 24 EU languages. Equinet encourages members to share this resource widely with national stakeholders to support stronger remedies and renewed reflection on sanctioning systems. For further information, you may contact Hubert Smoliński at DG JUST (hubert.smolinski@ec.europa.eu). Take a look at the guide at the link above!

#ArtificialIntelligence

Digital Omnibus Review Sparks Debate on Fundamental Rights Protections

A coalition of 127 civil society organisations, trade unions and defenders of public interest - including Equinet’s Norwegian member, The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud - has issued a warning to the European Commission, calling on it to uphold Europe’s established digital human-rights protections. Their joint declaration, “The EU must uphold hard-won protections for digital human rights,” argues that the forthcoming Digital Omnibus proposals represent not mere technical updates but a sweeping deregulation effort that risks dismantling key safeguards such as data protection, AI oversight, privacy, and the right to non-discrimination. Read the letter at the link above!