nl flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by Belga.

Belgium insists on maintaining anti-discrimination directive

by AI | 04.Jul 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Belgium and 13 other member states of the European Union are asking the Commission not to throw an old anti-discrimination directive in the trash. That would send “the wrong message,” according to a letter they sent this week to the responsible European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib.

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality. © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM

“At this moment, the EU must show determination and send a clear message that we stand firm for our values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights,” the letter states, which has been signed on behalf of Belgium by Minister of Equal Opportunities Rob Beenders.

The Commission announced in February that it wanted to withdraw the draft directive from 2008 because there was no prospect of an agreement. At that time, the Commission aimed to expand the ban on discrimination based on age, disability, sexual orientation, and religion in the workplace to other areas, such as social security, housing, education, and healthcare. 

However, the proposal, which was meant to cover several gaps in European non-discrimination policy, must be approved by all 27 member states. Despite endless negotiations and compromise texts, there is still no consensus in sight after seventeen years. Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic continue to raise objections.

However, Belgium, Estonia, France, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and initiator Sweden argue in the letter that “support for this directive has never been greater.” They urge Commissioner for Equality Lahbib for “a renewed and constructive dialogue with the member states that still have questions.”