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European civil society organisations condemn European Commission decision to withdraw the proposed Equal Treatment Directive

On 12 February, the European Commission (EC) announced its intention to withdraw the Equal Treatment Directive proposal – a decision that is seen as a significant setback for anti-discrimination efforts within the EU. This directive aimed to establish EU-wide protections against discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation in areas beyond employment, such as social protection, education, and access to goods and services.

The announcement was met with significant backlash from civil society, with many organisations joining forces to call on the EC to either reconsider its decision, or to immediately propose a new legislation that takes an intersectional approach.

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