Press Releases
End of discrimination in 27 member states
18th June 2008
This week the European Commission will make a significant decision to bring forward EU-wide legislation to combat discrimination on grounds of disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief and age.
Stephen Hughes MEP for the North East Region congratulated the Commission for taking the right decision, which will provide all European citizens with equal protection.
Speaking today in Strasbourg, Stephen Hughes said, "We have long fought for a new directive that will prohibit all forms of discrimination, including direct and indirect discrimination, in all areas. Areas affected include education, lifelong learning, social protection and social security, housing and healthcare, images of discriminated groups in the media and advertising, physical access for people with disabilities to information, telecommunication, electronic communications, transport modes and public spaces, social advantages and access to and supply of publicly available goods and services.
"We thank all those who have been involved in the campaign for an all-inclusive non-discrimination Directive", said Stephen Hughes. "We congratulate the Commission and in particular Commissioner Spidla (Employment) and President Barroso on doing the right thing. As ever, the details of the proposal will be keenly awaited and scrutinised. And we will work with the Council and Commission to achieve our goal of making Europe a brighter, fairer, equal place to work and to live".
Stephen Hughes, one of the founding members of the Disability Intergroup in the European Parliament said: "I am proud that we collected 1.3 million signatures for disability legislation but on behalf of the many disabled throughout the European Union, I place on record my support for a comprehensive directive." Stephen Hughes MEP argued that there should not be a hierarchy between different forms of discrimination: "We cannot outlaw discrimination in one area whilst allowing it in another. I will not support legislation which will divide and rule."
"We stand firm on the need for age discrimination legislation and for religion and belief not to be excluded or treated as inferior forms of discrimination in the hierarchy imposed by the European Commission."
ENDS
Stephen Hughes speaks on behalf the Socialist Group (PES) on Employment and Social Affairs issues in the European Parliament. For more information, please contact Mr. Hughes on: 07770914526 or Cyndi Beaver (Researcher) on: 07764198400