ILGA-Europe’s latest edition of “Destination>>EQUALITY” is out!
ILGA-Europe’s latest edition of its “Destination>>EQUALITY” magazine is entirely dedicated to the issue of a proposed EU anti-discrimination Directive. The aim of this edition is to demonstrate the strong and broad support for the proposed Directive as well as to refute existing arguments against the adoption of this Directive.
Print HTMLThis edition provides an exclusive interview with Vladimír Špidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities whose portfolio includes the proposed Directive and who shares his views not just on the proposal but other issues of the rights of LGBT people in Europe.
In this edition we also provide a platform to various European and national governmental and non-governmental organisations working in various equality and non-discrimination areas that overwhelmingly and in unison support this Directive. Each of them provides their specific perspective on why this proposed Directive is important and necessary as well as highlighting the shortcomings of the proposed Directive.
Our contributors are:
• Member of the European Parliament
• EU Fundamental Rights Agency
• The Netherlands’ Government
• EQUINET – the European Network of Equality Bodies
• European Trade Union Confederation
• Tiesibsargs – Latvian Equality Body
• European Network Against Racism
• European Women’s Lobby
• European Disability Forum
• European Older People’s Platform
• European Youth Forum
• Equality and Diversity Forum (UK).
Patricia Prendiville, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe, in her address to the readers of this edition says:
“We know all too well that the 27 EU Member States now have to agree on this proposed Directive. We know that fierce opposition towards this Directive is coming form one of the largest EU Member State – Germany. The arguments are difficult to understand. That is why we put together this special edition on the Directive
to demonstrate the overwhelming support for the Directive from a wide spectrum of organisations. We also provide personal testimonies which prove that this Directive is badly needed.”
She further stresses the importance of a united collaboration to make European level law:
“In the coming months the importance of our togetherness cannot be overestimated, our strength will be in unity. It is time for all of us to think big and beyond our usual grounds. This Directive is a historical opportunity for all of us to ensure that each person, regardless of personal characteristics, is equally protected against discrimination in the European Union. The time when some grounds of discrimination are more acceptable than others needs to be ended. Let’s help Europe make this historical decision and prove that it means business when it comes to equality for all, without hierarchies or distinctions”.
For more information please contact
Juris Lavrikovs at + 32 2 609 54 16 / + 32 496 708 375
Notes for editors:
(1) ILGA-Europe is the European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association and works for equality and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Europe: www.ilga-europe.org
(2) A PDF version of this edition is available on our website:
www.ilga-europe.org/resources/destination-equality
(3) More details about ILGA-Europe’s campaign supporting this proposed Directive is on our website
