Catalysts for Change: Equality Bodies according to Directive 2000/43/EC

Combating racial and ethnic discrimination is high on the European Union’s agenda. In order to make its legislative measures against discrimination more effective, the EU has required all Member States to establish “bodies” to assist victims of racial and ethnic discrimination, to conduct surveys about the forms and prevalence of discrimination and to issue reports and recommendations. This obligation has been laid down in Article 13 of the Racial Equality Directive (Directive 2000/43/EC).

This report looks into the extent to which EU Member States had implemented this provision by the end of 2005. It addresses the question of whether the Member States actually have designated such institutions, and aims to provide a contribution to evaluate the independence and effectiveness of these equality bodies.