Equinet Europe: Equality Bodies

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Equality Bodies

Members (and observers) of Equinet

Austria - Ombud for Equal Treatment

Belgium - Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism
Belgium - Institute for the Equality of Women and Men

Bulgaria - Commission for Protection against Discrimination

Croatia - Office of the Ombudsman

Cyprus - The Office of the Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman)

Czech Republic - Office of the Public Defender of Rights

Denmark - Board of Equal Treatment

Denmark - Danish Institute for Human Rights

Estonia - Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner

Finland - Ombudsman for Equality

Finland - Ombudsman for Minorities

France - Defender of Rights (formerly HALDE)

Germany - Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency - FADA

Greece - Greek Ombudsman

Hungary - Equal Treatment Authority

Hungary - Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Rights of National and Ethnic Minorities

Ireland - Equality Authority

Italy - National Office against Racial Discrimination - UNAR

Latvia - Office of the Ombudsman

Lithuania - Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman

Luxembourg - Centre for Equal Treatment

Malta - National Commission for the Promotion of Equality – NCPE

The Netherlands - Dutch Equal Treatment Commission - CGB

Norway - Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud – LDO

Poland - Human Rights Defender

Portugal - Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality - CIG

Portugal - Portuguese Commission for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue – ACIDI

Portugal - Commission for Equality in Labour and Employment - CITE

Romania - National Council for Combating Discrimination - CNCD

Serbia - Commission for Protection of Equality

Slovakia - National Centre for Human Rights

Slovenia - Office for Equal Opportunities

Spain - Race and Ethnic Equality Council

Sweden - Equality Ombudsman

United Kingdom - Great Britain - Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

United Kingdom - Northern Ireland - Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Austria Ombud for Equal Treatment The Austrian Ombud for Equal Treatment (Gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft) is a unique organisation which consists of three independent parts with regard to their competences: Ombud for Equal Treatment between Women and Men in Employment and Occupation (1991) Ombud for Equal Treatment irrespective of Ethnic origin, Religion or Belief, Age or Sexual Orientation in Employment and Occupation (2005) Ombud for Equal Treatment irrespective of Ethnic origin in other areas (2005) Grounds of discrimination covered: Central office (Vienna): gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion and belief Regional offices: gender Telephone: +43 1 5320244 gaw@bka.gv.at www.gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft.at Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Belgium Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism Providing support to victims of racial discrimination was initially the central task of the Centre. Following consecutive Acts of Parliament, the Centre’s mandate was extended: it also became competent for issues related to migration, human trafficking, poverty and non-racial discrimination. Grounds of discrimination covered: Race, skin colour, descent, national or ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation, marital status, birth, fortune, age, religious or philosophical conviction, current or future state of health, disability, physical or genetic characteristics, social origin, political conviction. Telephone: +32 2 212 30 00 epost@cntr.be www.diversiteit.be (NL) www.diversite.be (FR) Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Belgium Institute for Equality of Women and Men The Belgian Institute for Equality between Men and Women has, as main objective, to guarantee and foster equality between genders with regard to all aspects of life. This objective has to be achieved through the implementation of a legal framework, structures, strategies, actions and instruments which serve the cause of equality. Grounds of discrimination covered: gender Tel. +32 2 233.42.65 egalite.hommesfemmes@meta.fgov.be http://igvm-iefh.belgium.be Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Bulgaria Commission for Protection Against Discrimination Grounds of discrimination covered: sex, race, nationality, ethnic belonging, genetic heritage, citizenship, origin, religion or belief, education, convictions, political affiliation, personal or public status, disability, age, sexual orientation, family status, property status, any other characteristics established by a law or by an international agreement to which the Republic of Bulgaria is part of. Telephone: +359 2 807 30 30 kzd@kzd.bg www.kzd-nondiscrimination.com Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Croatia Office of the Ombudsman Grounds of discrimination covered: race or ethnic affiliation or colour, gender, language, religion, political or other belief, national or social origin, property, trade union membership, education, social status, marital or family status, age, health condition, disability, genetic heritage, native identity, expression or sexual orientation. Telephone: +385 1 48 51 855 ombudsman@ombudsman.hr www.ombudsman.hr Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Cyprus Office of the Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) Based on the powers granted by the Cyprus legislation, the Commissioner (Ombudsman) initially exercised control only over decisions and actions taken by public administrative authorities. However in 2004 the Ombudsman’s mandate was extended to also cover the private sector. Grounds of discrimination covered: discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and gender. Telephone: +357 22 405500 ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.cy www.ombudsman.gov.cy Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Czech Republic Office of the Public Defender of Rights Hotline: +420 542 542 888 Telephone: +420 542 542 111 podatelna@ochrance.cz www.ochrance.cz Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Denmark Board of Equal Treatment Grounds of discrimination covered: racial and ethnic origin, age, religious and other beliefs, sexual orientation, disability and gender. Telephone: +45 3341 1200 ast@ast.dk www.ast.dk top of page
Denmark Danish Institute for Human Rights - DIHR DIHR's aim is to “promote equal treatment of all persons without discrimination on the basis of race or ethnic origin, including the provision of assistance to victims of discrimination for having their complaints dealt with, with due regard for the rights of the victims, the associations, the organisation and other legal entities, to initiate independent analyses on discrimination and to make recommendations on issues relating to discrimination". Grounds of discrimination covered: race or ethnic origin. The Complaints Committee has the power to address discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnicity only. However, DIHR can and does work with other grounds of discrimination when conducting studies and surveys, giving opinions and making reports. Telephone: +45 32 69 88 88 center@humanrights.dk www.humanrights.dk Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Estonia Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner The Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner is an independent and impartial expert who acts independently, monitors compliance with the requirements of the Gender Equality Act and performs other functions imposed by law. Grounds of discrimination covered: gender Telephone: +372 6269 259 info@svv.ee www.svv.ee Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Finland Ombudsman for Equality The Ombudsman for Equality is a monitoring authority with regard to the Gender Equality Act. The competence of the equality body covers equality issues related to equality between men and women and to gender minorities. The main tasks of the Ombudsman are to supervise the compliance with the Equality Act in particular the prohibitions of discrimination, to promote the implementation of the purpose of the Act by initiative, advice and counselling, to give information about equality legislation and its practical applications, to follow-up the implementation of equality between women and men in the different sectors of society. Grounds of discrimination covered: sex Telephone: +358 9 1607 4433 tasa-arvo@stm.fi www.tasa-arvo.fi Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Finland Ombudsman for Minorities The Ombudsman for Minorities is an authority with the basic task of advancing the status and legal protection of ethnic minorities and foreigners as well as equality and non-discrimination and good ethnic relations in Finland. Grounds of discrimination covered: the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman covers the supervision of ethnic discrimination: it does not cover discrimination based on language, sexual orientation, ideology or disability. Countering discrimination on these grounds still belongs to other authorities, mainly the police, Parliamentary Ombudsman and, in working life, to occupational safety and health authorities. The Ombudsman also acts as the national rapporteur on trafficking in human beings. Telephone: +358 71 878 8666 (Enquiry line - weekdays 10-12 am.) Telephone: +358 71 878 0171 (switchboard) ofm@ofm.fi www.ofm.fi Read more about the equality body here. top of page
France Defender of Rights (formerly HALDE) The Defender of Rights is an independent administrative entity, whose legal authority has been inscribed in the Constitution since July 23rd 2008 and was established by the organic law passed on March 29th 2011. This newly-created institution is the successor of the Mediator of the Republic, the Defender of Children, the High authority in the fight against Discrimination and for Equality (HALDE), as well as the National Commission on Security Ethics (CNDS). Grounds of discrimination covered: age, gender, origin, sexual orientation, disability, way of life, genetic characteristics, health condition, civil status, real or assumed belonging to an ethnic group, nation or race, political opinion, surname, trade union membership, physical appearance. Defender of Rights 7, rue Saint Florentin 75008 Paris France www.defenseurdesdroits.fr Read more about the equality body here top of page
Germany Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency - FADA The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency gives independent assistance to persons addressing themselves to the Agency in asserting their rights to protection against discrimination. Such assistance may, among other things, involve 1. providing information concerning claims and possible legal action based on legal provisions providing protection against discrimination; 2. arranging for advice to be provided by another authority; 3. endeavouring to achieve an out-of-court settlement between the involved parties. Where responsibility lies either with a Parliamentary Commissioner of the German Bundestag or a Federal Government Commissioner, the FADA passes immediately on the matters of the person, with their prior approval. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency and the competent Federal Government Commissioner and Parliamentary Commissioner of the German Bundestag co-operate in cases of discrimination (General Act on Equal Treatment, Section 27) Grounds of discrimination covered: race or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Enquiry line: +49 3018 555 1865 Telephone: +49 3018 555 1855 poststelle@ads.bund.de www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Greece Greek Ombudsman The Ombudsman’s mission is to mediate between citizens and public services, local authorities, private and public organisations, with a view to protecting citizens' rights, combating maladministration and ensuring respect for the law. The Ombudsman also has the mission of defending and promoting children's rights. Grounds of discrimination covered: racial and ethnic origin, age, religious and other beliefs, sexual orientation, disability and gender. Telephone: +30 210 7289600 synigoros@synigoros.gr www.synigoros.gr Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Hungary Parliamentary Commissioner for the Rights of National and Ethnic Minorities The Parliamentary Ombudsman for the Rights of National and Ethnic Minorities is responsible for investigating or initiating the investigation of cases involving the infringement of the rights of national or ethnic minorities which come to his attention and initiating general or specific measures for their remedy. Grounds of discrimination covered: belonging to a national or ethnic minority. Telephone: +36 1 475 7100 info@kisebbsegiombudsman.hu www.kisebbsegiombudsman.hu Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Hungary Equal Treatment Authority The Hungarian Equal Treatment Authority (ETA) is an independent organisation, which was set up to receive and deal with individual and public complaints on unequal treatment and to implement the principles of equality and non discrimination. The Authority works under the direction of the Minister for Administration and Justice, however ETA is independent in relation to the conduct of its duties. Grounds of discrimination covered: sex, racial origin, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin, mother tongue, disability, state of health, religious or ideological conviction, political or other opinion, family status, motherhood (pregnancy) or fatherhood, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, social origin, financial status, the part-time nature or definite term of the employment relationship or other relationship related to employment, trade union membership, other status, attribute or characteristic. Telephone: +36 1 336 7843 ebh@ebh.gov.hu www.egyenlobanasmod.hu Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Ireland Equality Authority The Irish Equality Authority strives to eliminate discrimination in the workplace and in the provision of goods and services, accomodation and education. It also focus on promoting equal opportunities, on providing information to the public on the legislation and on monitoring it/proposing amendments when necessary. Grounds covered: gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion and membership of Traveller community. Telephone: +353 1 417 33 36 info@equality.ie www.equality.ie Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Italy National Office against Racial Discrimination - UNAR The mandate of UNAR is the promotion of equal treatment and combating discrimination based on race or ethnic origins. Grounds of discrimination covered: race and ethnic origin, religion. Hotline: +39-800 90 10 10 Telephone: +39 06 67 79 22 67 unar@unar.it www.unar.it Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Latvia Office of the Ombudsman The Latvian Ombudsman is responsible for the supervision of the observance of human rights in the Republic of Latvia. Grounds of discrimination covered: covers all grounds where differential treatment in respect to the persons in similar situations or equal treatment in respect to the persons in considerably different situations occurs (principle of equal treatment),and covers grounds provided by national law, international and EU law (principle of non-discrimination). Telephone: +371 67686768 tiesibsargs@tiesibsargs.lv www.tiesibsargs.lv Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Lithuania Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson The Ombudsman investigates complaints relating to direct and indirect discrimination and sexual harassment. The Ombudsman both reports on the implementation of laws and submits recommendations to state, government and administrative institutions of the Republic of Lithuania concerning the revision of legal acts and policy priorities for the implementation of equal rights. Both private and public bodies are subject to the competence of the Ombudsman. Grounds of discrimination covered: gender; age, sexual orientation, disability, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, religion, belief, convictions and attitudes. Tel ephone: +370 5 261 27 87 mvlgk@lrs.lt www.lygybe.lt Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Luxembourg Centre for Equal Treatment The Centre for Equal Treatment issues publications and recommendations and provides assistance and support to victims of discrimination. Grounds of discrimination covered: disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion/ beliefs, origin, race. Telephone: +352 26 48 30 33 info@cet.lu www.cet.lu Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Malta National Commission for the Promotion of Equality – NCPE The Commission is an autonomous body, set up with the aim of monitoring the implementation of the Act on Equality for Men and Women and to promote equality in spheres where it may be lacking. The Commission works to ensure that Maltese society is a society free from any form of discrimination based on gender and racial/ethnic origin in all sectors and at all levels with respect to opportunities, services and benefits. Grounds of discrimination covered: • Family responsibilities and gender in employment • Racial or ethnic origin in the provision of goods and services Telephone: +356 2590 3850 equality@gov.mt www.equality.gov.mt Read more about the equality body here. top of page
The Netherlands Dutch Equal Treatment Commission - CGB CGB mandate is to provide protection against discrimination in order to promote equal participation in life and/or society (Preamble ETA). Grounds of discrimination covered: sex, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, political conviction, belief (all since 1994), duration of employment relation (fulltime or part-time; since 1996), employment relation (permanent or temporary; since 2002), disability or chronic illness (since December 2003) and age (since May 2004). Telephone: +31 30 888 38 88 info@cgb.nl www.cgb.nl Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Norway Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud – LDO LDO is a national equality body that investigates complaints of discrimination and issues statements in order to enforce anti-discrimination legislation. LDO also monitors Norwegian compliance with international conventions (i.e. CEDAW, CERD). In addition, LDO promotes good practices, provides information about duties and individual rights, and monitors the general situation with regard to discrimination in Norway. Grounds of discrimination covered: gender, ethnicity, national origin, descent, skin colour, language, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion/belief/lifestance, political conviction and labour union membership. Telephone: +47 23 15 73 00 post@LDO.no www.ldo.no Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Poland Human Rights Defender Aleja SolidarnoÅ›ci 77 00 - 090 Warsaw Telephone: + 48 22 55 17 700 Fax: + 48 22 827 64 53 Email: biurorzecznika@brpo.gov.pl http://www.brpo.gov.pl top of page
Portugal Commission for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue – ACIDI The ACIDI has the mission to prevent and forbid racial discrimination in all its forms and to sanction all actions and practices which violate the fundamental human rights or which cause unequality of treatment wih regard to racial belonging, colour, nationality and ethnic origins. Grounds of discrimination covered: racial belonging, colour, nationality and ethnic origins. Telephone: +351 21 810 61 00 acidi@acidi.gov.pt www.acidi.gov.pt Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Portugal Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality - CIG CIG's main objectives is to guarantee the implementation of public policies in the area of citizenship and the promotion and defence of gender equality. Grounds of discrimination covered: mainly sex and sexual orientation, but recently also the other grounds of Article 13 of the EC Treaty (2010). Telephone: + 351 2 1798 30 00 cig@cig.gov.pt www.cig.gov.pt Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Portugal Commission for Equality in Labour and Employment - CITE Rua do Viriato, n° 7 - 1.º, 2.º e 3.º 1050-233 Lisbon Telephone:(+351) 217 803 700 Fax: (+351) 213 104 661 E-mail: cite@cite.gov.pt http://www.cite.gov.pt top of page
Romania National Council for Combating Discrimination - CNCD The CNCD aims at preventing, sanctioning and eliminating all forms of discrimination. Grounds of discrimination covered: race, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, social origin, beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, age, disability, chronic non-contagious diseases, persons infected with HIV or belonging to a disfavoured category (for example, refugees, asylum seekers, pensioners, abandoned children, convicted persons who have served their sentences etc.). Telephone: +4021 312 65 78 support@cncd.org.ro or cncd@cncd.org.ro www.cncd.org.ro Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Serbia Commission for Protection of Equality The commission seeks to prevent and lessen discrimination; protect the equality of citizens and monitor anti-discrimination legislation. Beogradska 16, 11 000 Belgrad poverenik@ravnopravnost.gov.rs www.ravnopravnost.gov.rs Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Slovakia National Centre for Human Rights The Centre is an independent legal person that performs tasks in the area of human rights and basic freedoms, including the rights of children. Grounds of discrimination covered: all grounds covered by the EU anti-discrimination directives. Telephone +421 2 208 501 11 info@snslp.sk www.snslp.sk Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Slovenia Office for Equal Opportunities The Office for Equal Opportunities (OEO) is a governmental non-discrimination policy making body which primarily deals with gender mainstreaming and coordination of non-discrimination policies. The OEO’s organisational structure also includes the Advocate of the Principle of Equality whose main mandate is to assist the victims of discrimination (by hearing cases, by informational support and counselling in using other remedies). The Advocate also gives guidance on effective prevention of violations and on good practices of equal treatment and disseminates general information on non-discrimination and equality. Grounds of discrimination covered: Open ground formula (no ground is excluded). Office for Equal Opportunities Advocate of the Principle of Equality Erjavceva 15 SI - 1000 Ljubljana Telephone: +386 (0)1 478 1483 Toll-free helpline (available in Slovenia only): 080 12 13 Fax: +386 (0)1 478 1491 Email: zagovornik.uem@gov.si www.zagovornik.net/ www.uem.gov.si/ Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Spain Race and Ethnic Equality Council The Council is in charge of promoting the principle of equal treatment and non-discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin in education, healthcare, social services, housing, and in general, the supply of and access to any goods and services as well as access to employment, self-employment, and exercising a profession, membership and participation in trade unions and business organisations, working conditions, professional promotion, and occupational and life-long vocational training. Grounds of discrimination covered: racial or ethnic origin. Telephone: +34 91 524 3551 www.igualdadynodiscriminacion.org Read more about the equality body here. top of page
Sweden Equality Ombudsman The Ombudsman shall: • Supervise compliance with the Discrimination Act, • Work to ensure that discrimination associated with sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age does not occur in any areas of the life of Swedish Society, and also • Work in other respects to promote equal rights and opportunities regardless of sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age. Grounds of discrimination covered: sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age. Telephone: +46 8 120 20 700 do@do.se www.do.se Read more about the equality body here. top of page
United Kingdom - Great Britain Equality and Human Rights Commission – EHRC The Commission’s General Duty is to exercise its functions with a view to encouraging and supporting the development of a society in which: (a) peoples ability to achieve their potential is not limited by prejudice or discrimination, (b) there is respect for and protection of each individuals human rights, (c) there is respect for the dignity and worth of each individual, (d) each individual has an equal opportunity to participate in society, and (e) there is mutual respect between groups based on understanding and valuing of diversity and on shared respect for equality and human rights. Grounds of discrimination covered: age, disability, gender, reassignment of gender, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. Telephone: +44 (0)20 3117 0235 (non-helpline calls only) Helpline: 0845 604 6610 (England); 0845 604 5510 (Scotland); 0845 604 8810 (Wales) info@equalityhumanrights.com www.equalityhumanrights.com Read more about the equality body here. top of page
United Kingdom - Northern Ireland Equality Commission for Northern Ireland The mandate includes: (a) Promote equality of opportunity and affirmative and positive action; (b) Work towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination in relation to sex, race, disability, religious belief, political opinion, sexual orientation; (c) Promote the relations between persons of different racial groups, religious beliefs and political opinion; (d) Oversee the effectiveness of the statutory positive duties placed on public authorities under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act, and; (e) Keep the relevant legislation for which the Commission is responsible under review. Grounds of discrimination covered: age, sex, race, disability, religious belief and political opinion, sexual orientation. Enquiry Line +44 28 90 890 890 Telephone: +44 28 90 500 600 information@equalityni.org www.equalityni.org Read more about the equality body here. top of page

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