Non-discrimination

Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.

Within the scope of application of the Treaty establishing the European Community and of the Treaty on European Union, and without prejudice to the special provisions of those treaties, any discrimination on grounds of nationality shall be prohibited.

This right is enshrined in article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The authorities of EU countries are bound to comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights only when implementing EU law. Fundamental rights are protected by your country's constitution.

Your rights before the law can be broken down into different categories and are protected by the European Commisssion through various directives:

Directive 2000/43/EC against discrimination on grounds of race and ethnic origin.

Diretive 2000/78/EC against discrimination at work on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Directive 2006/54/EC equal treatment for men and women in matters of employment and occupation.

Directive 2004/113/EC equal treatment for men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services.

Directive Proposal (COM(2008)462) against discrimination based on age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief beyond the workplace.

Chapter 3 of the EU Charter of fundamental rights is on equality. This chapter also contains the following rights

• equality before the law
• Non-discrimination
• cultural, religious and linguistic diversity
• equality between women and men
• the rights of the child
• The rights of the elderly
• integration of persons with disabilities