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Frequently Asked Questions

I have been discriminated against. Where can I get help in taking my case further?

The Council of the European Union has adopted two Directives to prohibit discrimination in certain areas. The first (Directive 2000/43/EC) prohibits discrimination on the grounds of racial and ethnic origin and prohibits discrimination in the fields of employment, education, social protection (including social security and health care), social advantages and access to goods and services (including housing). The second (Directive 2000/78/EC) prohibits discrimination in employment on the grounds of religion and belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.

These directives now have to be transposed into national law before they take effect. The Member States have until 19 July 2003 to transpose the Racial Discrimination Directive and until 2 December 2003 to transpose the Employment Discrimination Directive (with a possibility of an extension of up to a further three years for the provisions on discrimination on grounds of disability and age).

The Commission cannot intervene in individual cases of discrimination and people who believe that they have been victims of discrimination must rely on the provisions in national law. In such cases it is often a good idea to get advice from a trade union, an anti-discrimination office (in countries where they exist) or a citizen's advice bureau. In many countries, there are now national Boards or Commissions which are responsible for promoting equality and fighting discrimination. Details of some of them are available under National Equality Bodies from our site.

Where citizens consider that the Directives have not been properly implemented by Member States, they have the right to complain to the Commission about this.