Comparative Study on the collection of data to measure the extent and impact of discrimination within the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands

August 2004

Despite their apparent similarities, the schemes implemented in these countries demonstrate significant ifferences resulting from national history, the structure of the State and its judicial and political systems, and also its choice in terms of statistics. This report will begin by placing statistical monitoring in its legal and political context. The first section presents the structure of the anti-discrimination schemes, linking the emergence of a
sophisticated monitoring system to the implementation of active equal treatment policies.

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Critical review of academic literature relating to the EU directives to combat discrimination

July 2004

The inclusion of Article 13 in the Treaty of Amsterdam extended the powers of the European Union in the field of combating discrimination and gave rise to two new Directives setting out to implement the principles of non discrimination across the European Union: Directive 2000/43/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment irrespective of racial or ethnic origin and Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. The innovative approach of the Directives has attracted considerable attention from both policy-makers and the academic world, and there is a growing body of academic literature referring to the Directives.

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Green Paper on "Equality and non-discrimination in an enlarged EU"

May 2004

Five years ago, huge impetus was given to the fight against discrimination in
the European Union when new powers were granted to tackle discrimination
on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability and
sexual orientation.

This Green Paper sets out the European Commission's analysis of the progress that has been made so far. It seeks views about how the EU can continue and reinforce its efforts to combat discrimination and to promote equal treatment. In so doing, it responds to calls from the European Parliament and others to organise a public consultation on the future development of policy in this area.

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Equality and Non-discrimination - Annual Report 2004

May 2004

The last twelve months have been a key period in the European Union's efforts to combat discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. The deadlines for putting European anti-discrimination rules into national law have now passed. Over the last year, we have witnessed a significant increase in the level of protection against discrimination across the EU. Important changes to national legislation are outlined in this report. The purpose of this report is to give an overview of what is happening across the Union as the policy against discrimination is implemented. It covers both the steps being taken by national governments to ensure that the legal protection provided against discrimination is in line with the two Directives and the other activities being carried out to complement the new laws, supported in part by the action programme.

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Combating Religious and Ethnic Discrimination in Employment

From the EU and International Perspective

April 2004

This report looks into the tools for combating religious Tand ethnic discrimination in employment that are available at the UN, EU and national level of the EU-15.

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Increasing the employment of older workers and delaying the exit from the labour market

March 2004

The low employment of older workers in Europe represents a waste of individual life opportunities and societal potential. A sustained growth in longevity means that people have greater opportunities to fulfil their potential over a longer life-span. For the economy as a whole the increase in participation and employment rates of older workers are crucial for using the full potential of labour supply to sustain economic growth, tax revenues and social protection systems, including adequate pensions, in the face of expected reductions in the population of working age.

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�Equal Rights in Practice: Key Voices in 2004�

2004

Focusing on the implementation of the two anti-discrimination Directives emanating from Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty, Equal Rights in Practice: Key Voices in 2004 � the annual thematic brochure of the European Commission�s Community Action Programme to combat discrimination 2001-2006 � offers a timely reflection on the progress made to date and the key issues and the stakeholders involved. This collection of independent opinions, bringing together views from stakeholders ranging from National Authorities, NGOs, specialised bodies and experts in the field, provides a vivid testimony to the processes which are leading law and policy makers from paper to practice; from the written legislation, through to the day-today realities of changing attitudes and practices throughout European societies.

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The Situation of Roma in an Enlarged European Union

2004

The treatment of Roma, Gypsies and Travellers has become one of the most pressing political, social and human rights issues facing Europe according to the new report 'The Situation of Roma in an Enlarged EU' report presented on 26.11.2004 by the Commission  presents a series of recommendations to the EU, Member States and non-governmental organisations on how to strengthen their policies and actions regarding Roma.

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Racism and Xenophobia in the EU Member States trends, developments and good practice - Annual Report 2003/2004 - Part 2

2003/2004

The Annual Report 2003/4 of the EUMC covers a year which brought about decisive developments for the European Union. 2003 was the year when the two European Council anti-discrimination Directives were due to be transposed into the Member States� national legislation. The enlargement of the EU to embrace ten central, eastern and southern European countries in May 2004 had a significant influence on both the political work within EU institutions and on public discourse.the enlargement of the EU in 2004. It therefore constitutes the first comprehensive overview of racist, xenophobic, antisemitic and anti-Muslim discrimination, and responses to it, to cover all 25 EU Member States. The report covers events during 2004, which was also the first full year that Council Directive 2000/43/EC (the Racial Equality Directive) had been in force. One of the tasks of this year�s report has therefore been to describe the practical consequences of this, in terms of the legal and institutional mechanisms introduced by Member States in response to it. The EUMC commissioned the material for this report from the National Focal Points of its RAXEN information network in each of the 15 EU Member States.

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