European Parliament votes to extend anti-discrimination legislation

Today the European Parliament adopted the report by Dutch Green MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg, which extends discrimination protection beyond the labour market to goods and services for the discrimination grounds of sexual orientation, disability, age and religion/belief.

The proposal now appears likely to be adopted during the Swedish Presidency of the EU, following last week's commitment by the Swedish government to do so.

Jean Lambert, London's Green MEP, Co-President of the cross-party Intergroup on Ageing and Member of the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, commented:

"I am very proud that we succeeded in getting a Parliament majority to support this extension of legal protection against discrimination beyond the labour market.

"This is a long overdue victory for the millions of people across Europe at risk of discrimination on grounds of their age, disability, sexual orientation or faith or belief.

"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.

"However, I regret that many in the PPE/ED Group felt unable to vote for the proposals. I believe this shows we still have some way to go in developing a Europe of real equality."

European parliament committee backs extension of anti-discrimination protection

Yesterday evening, the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee approved the report by Dutch Green MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg on extending anti-discrimination legal protection beyond the workplace for discrimination grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief.

London Green MEP, Jean Lambert, who is a Member of the Committee and voted in favour of the report, commented:

"The adoption of this report marks welcome progress on equal rights, particularly on access to goods and services. However, certain issues concerning family law are not included and we may face difficult negotiations to secure support across parties, given the positions of largest political groups in the European Parliament.

"Since 2000, European legislation has outlawed all forms of discrimination in the workplace. However for too long there has been no legal provision at European level to ban discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion/belief beyond the world of work. This gaping hole in the legislation includes vital social services such as healthcare, but also commercial services.

"In these areas, we currently have an inconsistent and unacceptable situation where a black lesbian woman would be legally protected against discrimination if it was on the ground of her race or gender, but not on the basis of her sexual orientation. The new directive aims to remedy this situation and fill the gaps left open by the existing legislation. I hope it will be fully supported by the European Parliament as a whole when it comes for vote in plenary."

The European Parliament plenary session vote is due on 2 April. ____________________________