Equality Bodies By Berit Vegheim, the Civil Rights Foundation Stop Discrimination, Norway
What kind of EB do we have? Authority Ombud Commission Council Centre of Equality National Human Rights Institution Tribunal
What powers does the EB have? Litigation powers Legally binding decisions Sanctions Non-binding statements Investigation Mediation - compulsory
What status does EB have? Independence stipulated in law Appointment and accountability Funding and other resources Competence
Representing individuals before court/tribunal Bringing proceedings in own name Intervention as third party/support Intervention as objective expert Issue legally binding decisions Impose sanctions Issue non-binding statements Give legal advice
Competence Carry out independent investigations Conduct mediation – compulsory? Conduct independent surveys Publish independent reports Produce guidelines/codes of practice Submit consultative statements Promote equality and awareness raising
Actual access to justice for all That is to judicially enforce our rights on our own initiative and in a self-determined manner, without legal costs, without prejudice and accessibility guaranteed
What kind of EB do we want? A low threshold enforcement body Free of charge Legal assistance A legally binding decision An appeal board Sanctions Redress
We want standards for EBs Independence Powers to take proceedings before the court and to make legally binding decisions Sufficient resources to ensure legal assistance to victims of discrimination
Active anti-discrimination policy Build up expertise Offer information and training Disclose and document discrimination Build alliance of NGOs Lobby for effective laws and EBs Act as legal advisor or third party Bring cases/initiate class action
Representing individuals in court Belgium, Bulgaria Denmark, Estonia Hungary, Ireland Malta, Northern Ireland Romania Slovakia, Sweden UK
Bringing proceedings in their own name Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria Czech Republic, Croatia Denmark, Estonia, France Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway Poland, Romania Slovakia, Sweden UK
Interventions before a court/tribunal Bulgaria Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, France Hungary, Ireland, Malta Northern Ireland, Norway Poland, Slovakia, Sweden UK
Legally binding decisions Bulgaria Cyprus Denmark Hungary, Ireland (Tribunal) Lithuania Norway (Tribunal) Romania
Non-binding statements Belgium Czech Republic, Croatia Estonia, France Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta Netherlands, Norway Slovakia, Slovenia