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European Equality Law Network

European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination

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Thematic reports

 

Linda Senden and Sonja Kruisinga (January 2018)

Publication date: 30 January 2018. Topics

Erica Howard (November 2017)

Publication date: 11 December 2017. Topics

Isabelle Chopin, Catharina Germaine and Judit Tanczos (November 2017)

Publication date: 8 November 2017. Topics

Albertine Veldman (April 2017)

Publication date: 28 April 2017. Topics

Olivier De Schutter (July 2016)

Publication date: 12 October 2016. Topics

Kevät Nousiainen and Christine Chinkin (April 2016)

Publication date: 20 April 2016. Topics

Lisa Waddington and Andrea Broderick with the assistance of Anne Poulos (April 2016)

Publication date: 19 April 2016. Topics

Delia Ferri and Anna Lawson (March 2016)

Publication date: 21 March 2016. Topics

Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, Petra Foubert and Susanne Burri (February 2015)

Publication date: 27 February 2015. Topics

Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, Petra Foubert et Susanne Burri (février 2015)

Publication date: 27 February 2015. Topics

Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, Petra Foubert und Susanne Burri (Februar 2015)

Publication date: 27 February 2015. Topics

Lilla Farkas and Orlagh O'Farrell (December 2014)

Publication date: 2 December 2014. Topics

Lilla Farkas et Orlagh O'Farrell (décembre 2014)

Publication date: 2 December 2014. Topics

Lilla Farkas und Orlagh O'Farrell (Dezember 2014)

Publication date: 2 December 2014. Topics

Dorota Pudzianowska and Krzysztof Smiszek, supervised and edited by Christa Tobler (December 2014)

Publication date: 2 December 2014. Topics

Dorota Pudzianowska et Krzysztof Smiszek (décembre 2014)

Publication date: 2 December 2014. Topics

Comparative analyses

The comparative analyses provide a summary of the state of affairs of non-discrimination law in the 27 EU Member States and gender equality law in EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the United Kingdom. Until 2022, the comparative analyses of both strands covered the 27 EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the United Kingdom as well as the five Candidate Countries Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye. The analyses give an overview of the key issues, include the latest and most important legal developments at the national level such as case law and legislative amendments, and illustrate and assess the evolution of non-discrimination and gender equality law.  

A comparative analysis of the implementation of EU gender equality law in the EU Member States, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia and Turkey

Publication date: 24 May 2016. Topics

How are EU rules transposed into national law in 2015?

Publication date: 14 December 2015. Topics

Aperçu des règles de l’UE et de leur transposition en droit national en 2015

Publication date: 14 December 2015. Topics

Wie sind die Unionsvorschriften 2015 im nationalen Recht umgesetzt? 

Publication date: 14 December 2015. Topics

The 28 EU Member States, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey compared

Publication date: 1 January 2015. Topics

Gender Equality Law in 33 European Countries: How are EU rules transposed into national law?

Publication date: 1 February 2014. Topics

The 28 EU Member States, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey compared

Publication date: 1 October 2013. Topics

The 27 EU Member States, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey compared

Publication date: 1 October 2012. Topics

Law reviews

 

The European equality law review is produced by the European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination (EELN). The aim of the EELN is to provide the European Commission and the general public with independent information regarding gender equality and non-discrimination law and, more specifically, on the transposition and implementation of the EU equality and non-discrimination directives. While the European Equality Law Review has been published biannually under previous contracts with the European Commission, it is published once a year under the current contract. 

The current issue provides an overview of legal and policy developments across Europe and, as far as possible, reflects the state of affairs from 1 January to 30 June 2022. This issue opens with four in-depth articles. The first article by Laura Carlson from Stockholm University explores effective enforcement mechanisms and sanctions in the European Commission’s proposed directive to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equa value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms. The second article on intersectional discrimination, by Raphaële Xenidis from the University of Edinburgh, focuses on the engagement of the Court of Justice of the EU with the issue of intersectional discrimination in the context of the so-called ‘headscarf’ cases. The third article, by Margarita S. Ilieva and András Kádár, the national non-discrimination experts for Bulgaria and Hungary respectively, explores the regulation of victimisation in Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy and Poland, and identifies good practices as well as gaps and shortcomings in these jurisdictions. The final article, by Cathérine Van de Graaf from the University of Ghent, explores the legal frameworks and practice of mediation procedures in discrimination cases in Austria, Belgium, Ireland and Portugal.

To receive hard copies of the European equality law review and be added to our mailing list to automatically receive future issues, please visit our order page

Issue No. 2 - November 2012

Publication date: 1 November 2012. Topics

Issue No. 14 - June 2012

Publication date: 9 June 2012. Topics

Issue No. 1 - June 2012

Publication date: 1 June 2012. Topics

Issue No. 13 - December 2011

Publication date: 17 December 2011. Topics

Issue No. 2 - November 2011

Publication date: 1 November 2011. Topics

Issue No. 12 - July 2011

Publication date: 29 July 2011. Topics

Issue No. 1 - May 2011

Publication date: 1 May 2011. Topics

Issue No. 11 - December 2010

Publication date: 14 February 2011. Topics

Issue No. 2 - December 2010

Publication date: 22 December 2010. Topics

Issue No. 10 - July 2010

Publication date: 11 July 2010. Topics

Issue No. 1 - June 2010

Publication date: 1 June 2010. Topics

Issue No. 9 - December 2009

Publication date: 11 December 2009. Topics

Issue No. 2 - December 2009

Publication date: 1 November 2009. Topics

Issue No. 8 - July 2009

Publication date: 11 July 2009. Topics

Issue No. 1 - June 2009

Publication date: 1 June 2009. Topics

Issue No. 2 - November 2008

Publication date: 1 November 2008. Topics

Issue No. 6/7 - October 2008

Publication date: 11 October 2008. Topics

Issue No.1 - August 2008

Publication date: 1 August 2008. Topics

Publications

Law reviews

The European equality law review is produced by the European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination (EELN/the network). The aim of the EELN is, and has been since 2015, to provide the European Commission and the general public with independent information regarding gender equality and non-discrimination law and, more specifically, on the transposition and implementation of the EU equality and non-discrimination directives. From 2015 to 2022, the network produced two issues of the European equality law review each year. From 2023 onwards, the network will be producing one issue per year, providing an overview of one full year of legal and policy developments in European and national gender equality and non-discrimination law. The current issue reflects, as far as possible, the state of affairs from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

Most recent publication:

European equality law review 2023

Cover image of European equality law review

Published:
February 2024

Download this publication

More European equality law reviews

Thematic reports

This thematic report provides a comparative overview of how these legal instruments have been complied with in the 27 EU Member States, and aims to establish how and to what extent the legal framework and its practical application in the different Member States provide protection against antisemitism in three main areas: (i) non-discrimination; (i) hate crimes; and (iii) hate speech. It identifies gaps in the existing legal protections and/or their enforcement across the EU Member States and makes recommendations on mechanisms for the provision of effective protection against acts motivated by antisemitism.

Most recent publication:

The legal framework to combat antisemitism in the European Union

Cover image of The legal framework to combat antisemitism in the European Union

Published:
22 March 2024

András Kádár

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More thematic reports

Comparative analyses

Most recent publications:

A comparative analysis of non-discrimination law in Europe 2023

Cover image of A comparative analysis of non-discrimination law in Europe 2023

Published: January 2023

Download this publication

A comparative analysis of gender equality law in Europe 2022

Cover image of A comparative analysis of gender equality law in Europe 2022

Published: January 2023

Download this publication

More comparative analyses

Links

European Commission, DG Justice and Consumers
Tackling discrimination: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/index_en.htm
Gender equality: https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/gender-equality_en

European Court of Justice
http://curia.europa.eu

European Court of Human Rights
http://www.echr.coe.int/Pages/home.aspx?p=home

European Committee of Social Rights
http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/ecsr/ecsrdefault_EN.asp

Equinet - European network of equality bodies
If you consider that you have been a victim or a witness of an act of discrimination we would suggest that you contact the national equality body in your country of residence via the following link: https://equineteurope.org/members-map/ 

More information is available here: https://equineteurope.org/what-are-equality-bodies/european-directory-of-equality-bodies/

FRA - European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
http://fra.europa.eu/en


 

About us

The European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination, established in December 2014, combines two previously existing networks: the European Network of Legal Experts in the Non-discrimination Field and the European Network of Legal Experts in the field of Gender Equality.

The gender equality network has a long history. It started in 1983, focussing on the implementation at national level of the series of directives that have been adopted since 1975 on equal treatment between women and men and on the cases on sex discrimination decided by the Court of Justice. With its experienced experts the network assisted the Commission in its task to monitor the correct implementation of the gender equality acquis communautaire. In 1983, only 6 Member States were participating in this network, in contrast to the 36 countries that are now included in the network.

The network of legal experts on non-discrimination was established in 2004 with the main aim to provide the Commission with independent advice on all the grounds of discrimination covered by Directive 2000/43/EC and Directive 2000/78/EC. The network was a follow-up to three separate networks, one of which dealt with racial or ethnic origin and religion or belief, one with disability and one with sexual orientation.

After a period of increasingly closer cooperation during the years 2012 - 2014 the gender equality and the non-discrimination networks merged into the current network covering all discrimination grounds in the EU Treaties.

The network ensures a regular overview of the state of affairs regarding the transposition of EU equality and non-discrimination law on a country by country basis in the annual country reports and comparative analyses, whereas more recent reporting can be found in the legal developments section of the website and the key developments section of the annual European Equality Law Review. Topical issues are addressed in articles in the Equality Law Review and thematic reports that are published on the website and presented and discussed during the annual legal seminar.

The overall operation of the network is governed by Human European Consultancy, the School of Law of Utrecht University and the Migration Policy Group.

General coordination - Human European Consultancy

Position Name Email
General Coordinator Jos Kösters
Project manager  Helena Schmetz

Coordination gender equality - Utrecht University

Position Name Email
Specialist coordinator gender equality Linda Senden
Senior coordinator for gender equality law Alexandra Timmer
Lead coordinator for gender equality law Franka van Hoof
Content coordinator for gender equality law Birte Böök

Coordination non-discrimination - Migration Policy Group

Position Name Email
Specialist coordinator non-discrimination law Isabelle Chopin
Content coordinator for non-discrimination law Catharina Germaine

Executive committee of senior experts

Position Name Email
Racial or ethnic origin Lilla Farkas
Age Elaine Dewhurst
Religion or belief Isabelle Rorive
Gender equality law Susanne Burri
Sexual orientation Peter Dunne
Disability Lisa Waddington
EU and human rights law Christopher McCrudden
Social security Frans Pennings
EU law and expertise on sex, gender identity and gender expression in relation to trans and intersex people Christa Tobler
Artificial intelligence and human rights, algorithmic discrimination, bias and data-driven inequality

Raphaële Xenidis

Equality bodies and enforcement Niall Crowley
Gender, trans and intersex equality rights Marjolein van den Brink
Violence against women Maria Andriani Kostopulou

 

Legal developments

Right of persons with disability to represent themselves in judicial proceedings

Publication date: 27 September 2023. Topics

Pardon of penalties and amnesty for offences committed by young persons

Publication date: 27 September 2023. Topics

Danish Institute for Human Rights criticises the National Roma Strategy for not living up to EU standards

Intimate Partner Violence and Partner Murder

Publication date: 15 September 2023. Topics

In July 2023, two laws transposing WLB Directive 2019/1158 have been passed in Parliament.

Publication date: 15 September 2023. Topics

Authorities start to strictly apply long dormant anti-LGBTIQ legislation, parts of which are the subject matter of an ongoing infringement procedure

National Examination Centre discriminates against a student with reading difficulties in the matura exam

Publication date: 29 August 2023. Topics

A gynaecologist discriminated against a patient because of her sexual orientation

Proposed amendments to law proposal on sexual offences

Excluding domestic care workers from the  right to social security is discrimination

Whether state authorities can be held liable when they fail, despite statutory obligation, to provide supported housing for people with disabilities

Publication date: 16 August 2023. Topics

The Federal Antidiscrimination Agency published its Annual Report for the year 2022

Federal Government reacts to the recently presented report on Islamophobia in Germany

The coordinating role of equality law drafting and implementation has lain with the Ministry of Social Affairs for over 20 years. The government has reformed its structure and the new coordinator is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications

Governmental inter-ministerial program to fight anti-LGBT+ hatred and discrimination

Violence against transgender women and girls; Compensation of gender-based violence

Transposition of Directive 2019/1158 into national legislation

Publication date: 2 August 2023. Topics

Gender neutral marriage

Conciliation measures and participation in the labour market

Publication date: 2 August 2023. Topics

Whether denial of bringing service dogs because of hygiene considerations amounts to disability discrimination – caselaw from the Board

Whether a teacher’s power of attorney agreement with her labour union and a subsequent settlement between the union and the employer precludes the teacher from taking her age discrimination complaint to the Board of Equal Treatment and the courts

Publication date: 2 August 2023. Topics

Whether overrepresentation of Roma children among children taken from their families in the framework of child protection measures amounts to indirect discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin

Discrimination by association applied in relation to renting out real estate

Legality of the regulation of the French Football Federation forbidding players to wear ostensible clothes or signs manifesting religion or beliefs

Prohibition of discrimination on ground of age regarding the access to beach facilities

Publication date: 24 July 2023. Topics

Lack of measures to prevent widespread misgendering of transgender patient at a hospital found to be a breach of the duty to prevent harassment

Publication date: 11 July 2023. Topics

Further consequences of restriction of reproductive rights: sentence against activist helping to perform abortions

Growing opposition to the Gender Equality Act threatens the progress of the proposed new Gender Equality Act

Publication date: 11 July 2023. Topics

Introduction of significant changes, following the spirit of the Istanbul Convention, to the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence

With a delay of almost 10 months, Poland has finally implemented the 2019/1158 Directive on work life balance.

Insights on gender-based violence and LGBTIQ community rights in the published 2022 Annual Report of Albanian Ombudsman

Protection for witnesses in cases of discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment at work

Publication date: 28 June 2023. Topics

Adoption of the National Gender Equality Plan and of the National Plan for Combatting Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, with pertaining Action Plans

New law on double surname newly born children

Publication date: 28 June 2023. Topics

The Court finds the exclusion of a third country national from the profession of assistant estate agents does not infringe the equality principle because it serves the public interest

Whether the exclusion of persons with a severe speech impairment from eligibility for disability allowance is compatible with the principle of non-discrimination as stipulated by Hungary’s Fundamental Law

Home

Welcome!

In order to effectively promote equality and tackle discrimination in the European Union it is important to understand the effects of the EU's equal treatment and non-discrimination legislation.

The European Commission therefore set up the former network of legal experts in gender equality and the network on non-discrimination to support its work by providing independent information and advice on relevant developments in the Member States. The two networks were merged in December 2014 and are now jointly managed by Human European Consultancy, the Migration Policy Group (MPG) and Utrecht University (UU) on behalf of the European Commission.

A primary task of the European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination is to provide reliable expert information to enable the Commission to fulfil their role as guardian of the treaties. It is therefore one of the key goals of the network to disclose and gather information that is often not easily accessible due to the specificities of national legal systems or language barriers. In particular, the network provides reporting on the transposition of and compliance with the gender equality and non-discrimination directives, national court rulings as well as the impact of judgements of the Court of Justice of the European Union and, where appropriate, of the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights on national law, the role of equality bodies as well as legislative and political developments at national level.

The dissemination of general information about the acquis (communautaire and national), the latest developments at the EU level and in the countries involved in the network, remains a vital issue both for the further implementation of gender equality and non-discrimination law and its further development. Only upon the basis of the disclosure of gender equality and non-discrimination problems persisting in the Member States and other countries involved in the network, will it be possible to develop sound policies and legal rules for remedying these.

Recent focal points of the work of the network are discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation as well as gender identity/expression and sex characteristic, violence against women and domestic violence, the role of equality bodies, and the use of artificial intelligence.

On this website the network publishes information on developments in gender equality and non-discrimination law at the Member State and European level. More information can be found via our legal developments page and the individual country pages.

Go to the website of Human European Consultancy
Go to the website of Utrecht University
Go to the website of the Migration Policy Group

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