PES Manifesto

European socialists: Fighting for an anti-discrimination directive

Published Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 10:42
by Editor in European democracy & diversity (467 views and 5 comments)

Today is the International Day against Homophobia – a good day to discuss discrimination and what we can do to fight it.

Michael Cashman (Labour, United Kingdom) is one of many socialist Members of the European Parliament who are working hard for the introduction of a new and more far-reaching anti-discrimination directive:

"Since the Barroso Commission was elected in 2004 socialists in the European Parliament have been calling for a new directive on anti-discrimination, but nothing has happened yet. In its 2008 work programme the Commission mentions discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation (article 13 Treaty Amsterdam). But since then, the Commission has indicated it will proceed only on prohibiting discrimination on disability,” explains Michael Cashman.

According to him the integrity of Barroso and his Commission is at stake with the lack of a new inclusive directive:

“In 2004 the European Parliament was close to rejecting the whole Commission, but we got a commitment from them: Barroso promised to create a cabinet to work for fundamental rights and to introduce a horizontal directive on anti-discrimination on the remaining grounds of Article 13,” says Cashman and continues:

“But since then things have taken a wrong turn. We have called for the directive 10 times and are concerned that the Commission will break a solemn promise to the European Parliament. There is rising intolerance in Europe: Legislation should not endorse one particular form of discrimination, but address it all.”

Right now Michael Cashman and other members of the European Parliament are preparing a report on the need for new and improved legislation. They’re putting pressure on Barroso and his commissioners:

“Barroso says that he cannot go through with the directive, since some Member States will not accept it. Socialists say that Europe should be based on values, not just the free market. Would we ever have achieved women’s suffrage if governments had waited for everyone who was against to change their minds?”

Talking about the 2009 European elections Michael Cashman also brings up the issue of discrimination – this time from a slightly different perspective:

“The next European elections will be very important. With the new treaty the European Parliament will have the power to elect the President of the Commission – it will matter a lot which party will be in majority. Europe needs a President and a Commission which will challenge the rising tide of intolerance.”

What do you think the PES manifesto should suggest with respect to fighting homophobia, racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination?

Tags: discrimination, diversity, European Parliament, fundamental rights, gay, LGBT