We join 8 other organisations in denouncing the Commission’s decision to withdraw the proposed Equal Treatment Directive in six months. This withdrawal, done without any indication that a stronger law will be proposed, severely undermines the EU’s commitment to equality, human rights and democratic decision making.
The decision was taken without warning or consultation with other EU institutions or civil society. It was presented in an annex to the Commission’s 2025 work plan with the justification that it has been blocked by national governments, notably Germany, for 17 years. This is despite considerable work done in recent EU Presidencies to finally adopt the Directive.
The Equal Treatment Directive aims to address the gap in anti-discrimination law that leaves millions of marginalised people unprotected. It was proposed after a long fight by civil society and should safeguard persons facing discrimination on protected grounds, as demanded by the EU treaties and international human rights law.
National governments share the blame with the Commission for this unprecedented backtracking on human rights. The 17 years of blockage have left millions of their citizens without legal protection against discrimination. The Commission decision will take place in six months. Therefore, EU countries have a last chance to adopt this law.
In the case of persons with disabilities, this Directive should ensure that lack of accessibility and denial of reasonable accommodation is considered a form of discrimination. The Directive covers public and private services, including social protection, health care, education, and access to goods and services which are available to the public, including housing. These are all areas where persons with disabilities continue to be disproportionately discriminated against.
The Commission must urgently change course by:
- Reconsidering the decision to withdraw the proposal, or
- immediately proposing a new law that should be discussed and adopted as fast as possible.
- And make an unequivocal commitment to creating a true Union of Equality by strengthening current equality strategies.
We also call on:
- The Polish Presidency to hold an urgent and public Council meeting for the Commission to explain this decision, and urge all Member States, particularly Germany, Italy and Czechia, to come to an agreement before the proposal is withdrawn
- The European Parliament to hold a public hearing with the European Commission on the decision and future steps to ensure protection against discrimination for all people living in the EU
Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, said:
This withdrawal, hidden on page 25 of an annex, is a slap in the face of the millions of people who fought for the law. The Commission and the Council must accept their responsibility and swiftly adopt a strong anti-discrimination law.
Related documents
Additional Information
Signatories of the letter:
- Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community (EL*C)
- European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO Network)
- Organisation Intersex International EuropeV. (OII Europe)
- The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation (IGLYO)
- European Network against Racism (ENAR)
- ILGA-Europe
- European Disability Forum (EDF)
- AGE Platform Europe (AGE)
- Trans Europe and Central Asia (TGEU)
Contacts
André Félix
Communications Coordinator
The European Disability Forum is an umbrella organisation of persons with disabilities that defends the interests of 100 million Europeans with disabilities. EDF is a unique platform that brings together representative organisations of persons with disabilities across Europe. It is run by persons with disabilities and their families. EDF is a strong, united voice of persons with disabilities in Europe.