An article examined the state of human rights protection in the European Union following the Treaty of Lisbon (which made the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding, and provided that the EU should accede to the European Convention on Human Rights). Human rights protection had became one of the most significant areas of EU law, exerting a crucial impact on the EU's relationships with its member states.
Source: Sionaidh Douglas-Scott, 'The European Union and human rights after the Treaty of Lisbon', Human Rights Law Review, Volume 11 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined what conception of equality the European Court of Human Rights should embrace in order to adequately address the harmfulness of stereotypes, focusing on gender case law.
Source: Alexandra Timmer, 'Toward an anti-stereotyping approach for the European Court of Human Rights', Human Rights Law Review, Volume 11 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
A report examined the relationship between equality work and work on human rights in Europe, and between the bodies with responsibilities in each of these areas.
Source: Equality Bodies and National Human Rights Institutions: Making the link to maximise impact, Equinet (European Network of Equality Bodies)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Dec
An article examined how the governance-related role of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union revealed a type of monitoring best understood as 'surveillance' – challenging the assumption that the agency was a 'beacon on fundamental rights' and a model of apolitical progress.
Source: Bal Sokhi-Bulley, 'The Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union: a new panopticism', Human Rights Law Review, Volume 11 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Dec
A new book examined the co-operation on minority rights in Europe between the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Council of Europe. Although co-operation had delivered largely positive change for accession countries, challenges remained for minorities in Europe and the regime's future operation.
Source: David Galbreath and Joanne McEvoy, The European Minority Rights Regime: Towards a theory of regime effectiveness, Palgrave Macmillan
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Dec
A new book examined whether the European Union was moving towards diversification or standardization in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and class.
Source: Max Koch, Lesley McMillan, and Bram Peper (eds.), Diversity, Standardization and Social Transformation: Gender, ethnicity and inequality in Europe, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Oct
A study examined whether the European Union had the legal competence to adopt legislation on crimes motivated by hatred against specified groups identified by reference to race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, and religion.
Source: Steve Peers, The Legal Grounds for Inclusive EU Legislation Against Bias Violence and Hatred, ILGA-Europe
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Oct
A new book examined the impact of increasing cultural diversity in Europe on prospects for the development of a shared European identity.
Source: Dieter Fuchs and Hans-Dieter Klingemann (eds.), Cultural Diversity, European Identity and the Legitimacy of the EU, Edward Elgar Publishing
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Sep
A report examined discrimination issues in European labour markets for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (part 1); and for ethnic minorities and migrants (part 2).
Source: Barbara van Balen, Ursula Barry, Ronald Holzhacker, Elisabeth Villagomez, and Katrin Wladasch, Synthesis Report 2010, Network of Socio-Economic Experts in the Non-Discrimination Field/European Commission
Links: Report part 1 | Report part 2
Date: 2011-Aug
An article examined variation between member states in compliance with provisions of European Union laws, focusing on the Framework Equality Directive. Formal warnings by the Commission led to a better compliance record, while conflict in the Council did not affect the successful transposition of provisions.
Source: Asya Zhelyazkova and Rene Torenvlied, 'The successful transposition of European provisions by member states: application to the Framework Equality Directive', Journal of European Public Policy, Volume 18 Issue 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Jul
A report contained a comparative review of the transposition of European Union directives on racial equality and employment equality into the national law of member states (plus Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Turkey).
Source: Isabelle Chopin and Thien Uyen Do, Developing Anti-Discrimination Law in Europe: The 27 EU member states, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey compared, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jul
A report examined the main ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity challenges facing Europe. It identified the minority groups or migrant populations that posed the most important challenges.
Source: Anna Triandafyllidou, Addressing Cultural, Ethnic & Religious Diversity Challenges in Europe: A comparative overview of 15 European countries, European University Institute (Florence)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jun
The European Union's fundamental rights agency published its annual review for 2010. It called on the EU to address three major areas: the treatment of asylum-seekers, the social exclusion of the Roma, and personal data protection.
Source: Fundamental Rights: Challenges and Achievements in 2010, Fundamental Rights Agency (European Commission)
Links: Report | European Commission press release
Date: 2011-Jun
A new book examined the concept of 'intersectionality' and its impact on feminist studies. It considered the European adoption of the concept in different national contexts, through issues such as migration, identity, media coverage of sexual violence against men, and transnational livelihoods of postcolonial migrants.
Source: Helma Lutz, Maria Teresa Herrera Vivar, and Linda Supik (eds.), Framing Intersectionality: Debates on a multi-faceted concept in gender studies, Ashgate Publications
Links: Summary
Notes: 'Intersectionality' refers to the ways in which different forms of social inequality, oppression, and discrimination interact and overlap.
Date: 2011-May
A report (by a group of 'eminent persons') examined the challenges arising from the resurgence of intolerance and discrimination in Europe. It made a series of proposals for 'living together' in open European societies, and for improved relations between different ethnic and religious communities.
Source: Living Together: Combining diversity and freedom in 21st century Europe, Council of Europe
Links: Report | Council of Europe press release
Date: 2011-May
A paper examined the background to a decision by the European Court of Justice (in March 20111) that insurers could not discriminate on grounds of sex in setting premiums or determining benefits. It said that the judicial defence of fundamental rights was a weak basis for social policy, and did not foreshadow a revolution in the development of social rights in Europe.
Source: Deborah Mabbett, A Rights Revolution in Europe? Regulatory and judicial approaches to nondiscrimination in insurance, LEQS Paper 38/2011, London School of Economics
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-May
The European Commission published an overview of 19 research projects dealing with the issues of pluralism, religion, tolerance, and cultural values in European societies.
Source: Pluralism and Religious Diversity, Social Cohesion and Integration in Europe: Insights from European research, European Commission
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the broad extent, major determinants, and possible causes of group-focused enmity in 8 European countries. About one-half of all European respondents believed that there were too many immigrants in their country.
Source: Andreas Zick, Beate Kupper, and Andreas Hovermann, Intolerance, Prejudice and Discrimination: A European report, Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Berlin)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Mar
The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe examined the roles that national structures for promoting equality could play in the field of equality and non-discrimination. Equal treatment legislation should be comprehensive, covering all grounds of discrimination: consideration should be given to explicitly identifying socio-economic status among the applicable grounds.
Source: Opinion of the Commissioner for Human Rights on National Structures for Promoting Equality, Council of Europe
Links: Opinion
Date: 2011-Mar
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights overturned a previous (2009) judgment that the display of crucifixes in school classrooms violated the rights of non-believing parents.
Source: Case of Lautsi and Others v Italy, European Court of Human Rights
Links: Judgement | Christian Institute press release | NSS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2011-Mar
Three linked articles examined the White Paper on intercultural dialogue published by the Council of Europe in 2008.
Source: Michalinos Zembylas and Vivienne Bozalek, 'The Council of Europe's White Paper on intercultural dialogue: an analysis using the ethic of care', Policy Futures in Education, Volume 9 Number 1 | Naomi Hodgson, 'Dialogue and its conditions: the construction of European citizenship', Policy Futures in Education, Volume 9 Number 1 | James Arthur, 'Intercultural versus interreligious dialogue in a pluralist Europe', Policy Futures in Education, Volume 9 Number 1
Links: Abstract (1) | Abstract (2) | Abstract (3)
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined multiple discrimination in European Union countries. People belonging to 'visible' minorities, such as Roma and people of African origin, were more likely to suffer multiple discrimination – that is, being discriminated against on more than one ground – than other minorities. Socio-economic factors such as living with a low income could increase the risk of experiencing multiple discrimination.
Source: Multiple Discrimination, Fundamental Rights Agency (European Commission)
Links: Report | FRA press release
Date: 2011-Feb
An article examined the concept of minority rights within European Union law, and its potential impact on the EU equal opportunities agenda.
Source: Olivier De Schutter, 'Recognition of the rights of minorities and the EU's equal opportunities agenda', European Anti-Discrimination Law Review, Issue 11
Links: Article
Date: 2011-Feb
A paper examined the link between poverty and discrimination in Europe. It proposed initiatives designed to enable equality bodies and other players in the field of non-discrimination and equality to respond effectively to the challenge posed by the link.
Source: Addressing Poverty and Discrimination: Two sides of the one coin, Equinet (European Network of Equality Bodies)
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Feb
A report examined the ability of equality bodies within European Union countries to influence the interpretation of national and EU anti-discrimination law.
Source: Bjorn Dilou Jacobsen, Influencing the Law Through Legal Proceedings: The powers and practices of equality bodies, Equinet (European Network of Equality Bodies)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Jan
A briefing paper examined the opportunities for minority empowerment through democratic participation in the European Union economic instruments for regional development.
Source: Tove Malloy, Convergence in European Policy Making: What do Article 15 (FCNM) and the EU Regional Policy have in common?, Brief 23, European Centre for Minority Issues
Links: Briefing
Date: 2011-Jan
A new book examined the ways in which European Union law affected the protection of minority rights. Binding European standards only existed in the sphere of non-discrimination, and were at their strongest in the field of employment: as such, they affected only a small proportion of the canon of minority rights. But the EU did have a general competence to promote diversity and facilitate the redistribution of power and resources – essential underpinnings for minority protection.
Source: Tawhida Ahmed, The Impact of EU Law on Minority Rights, Hart Publishing
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Jan
A briefing paper examined the increasing ability of national minorities to participate in the democratic process through European Union institutions.
Source: Tove Malloy, National Minorities in the 21st Century Europe: New discourses, new narratives?, Brief 24, European Centre for Minority Issues
Links: Briefing
Date: 2011-Jan
