Date established:

May 11, 2004

Mode of establishment:

Legislative decree 215 dated July 9, 2003 and Presidential Decree of the Council of Ministers (DPCM) December 11, 2003.

Status:

The Office for the promotion of equal treatment and the fight against discrimination based on race or ethnic origin was set up within the Department for Equal Opportunities of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers by legislative decree n. 215/2004, issued by Government, in order to enforce EU Directive 2000/43/EC.

http://www.camera.it/parlam/leggi/deleghe/testi/03215dl.htm.

Mandate/objectives:

The mandate, as stated in the Official Journal n. 66, dated March 19, 2004, is the promotion of equal treatment and combating discrimination based on race or ethnic origins.

Grounds of Discrimination covered:

Race and ethnic origin, religion.

Competences and responsibilities:

UNAR is charged with promoting equal treatment and combating discrimination based on race or ethnic origin. Specifically established for this purpose, UNAR also functions as a support structure for people who claim to be victims of racial and ethnic discrimination as well as an institutional point of reference for monitoring the effective implementation of instruments to ensure equal treatment and protect victims of discrimination.

Main activities:

UNAR’s mandate to monitor and guarantee equal treatment and effective protection from discrimination is accomplished by:

• providing assistance to victims of discrimination in the context of judicial or administrative actions; investigating discrimination claims while respecting the role of the judicial authority in the context of these actions;
• promoting affirmative action in the field of housing, employment, education, public health, media, public and private services and public security.
• publicising the availability of protection through communication and awareness-raising campaigns;
• presenting recommendations and providing advice on issues connected to discrimination based on race and ethnic origin;
• preparing two annual reports to be submitted to the Parliament and to the President of the Council of Ministers;
• promoting studies, research, training and exchange of experience also in collaboration with relevant non-governmental organizations in order to implement guidelines to combat discrimination based on race or ethnic origin.

On the occasion of the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination, the Ministry for Equal Opportunities organised an Action Against Racism week from March 13 to 21 featuring sports events in schools and universities. On March 13, during the Marathon in Rome UNAR had a stand and distributed 5000 yellow t-shirts to schools and people who were interested in the campaign as well as an information brochure about UNAR’s activities. The For Diversity, Against Discrimination campaign was run in partnership with the European Campaign Against Discrimination, an EU action programme aimed at disseminating information and knowledge about anti-discrimination issues. Score Against Racism was introduced as a football game slogan. In collaboration with the General Directorate for Students within the Ministry of Education, UNAR promoted a school competition in 2004/2005 entitled “Proposals and practices for dealing with different cultures in school life”.

UNAR promotes and conducts training courses in work places and within non-profit and volunteer associations. In collaboration with Universities and research centres, UNAR promotes studies in the field of racial and ethnic discrimination and provides funding for doctoral research in this area.

Publications:

UNAR has published a pamphlet and a brochure, available on www.pariopportunita.gov.it UNAR also published a book for the Public Administration Fair entitled “Integration and non-discrimination: the role of UNAR”.

Management:

UNAR is run by a General Director.

Nomination of senior staff and board:

Senior staff are nominated by the Ministry of Equal Opportunities.

Number of Staff:

30

Budget:

Annual budget: € 2.035.357

Approved by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

Accountability:

UNAR submits two Annual Reports, one to Parliament and one to the President of the Council of Ministers.