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Green Paper on Equality and Non-discrimination in an enlarged EU
Commission canvasses opinion on future direction of anti-discrimination policy
As part of an exercise to involve key stakeholders and the general public in
the shaping of anti-discrimination policies, the European Commission launched a public online consultation. The consultation website was open until the end of August 2004 to receive suggestions as to how the EU can help to combat discrimination and promote the positive benefits of diversity. Discrimination on the basis of racial or ethnic origin,
disability, sexual orientation, age and religion or belief has already been
tackled by EU legislation, but problems remain. There is evidence that some
forms of discrimination are on the increase and that EU minimum standards
have not been fully implemented and enforced in some Member States. The
Commission wanted to hear what people on the ground feel about these issues,
how they are affected and what action they expect from the EU. By doing
this, the Commission will be able to design policies that reflect people's
genuine concerns and make a real difference to their lives. This initiative
is based on a Green Paper on Equality and Non-discrimination in an Enlarged
EU, adopted by the European Commission on 26 May 2004.