29-01-2007

The survey shows that only three in ten EU citizens know that it is prohibited by law to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or age when hiring new employees. The European public is most aware of the unlawfulness of discrimination on grounds of disability (51 per cent). When asked if they knew their rights if they were the victim of discrimination or harassment, only one third of the respondents gave an affirmative answer.

According to a large proportion of Europeans discrimination is widespread, especially discrimination against people who are disabled or homosexual, and people belonging to an ethnic minority. As a consequence, half of the respondents think that not enough effort is being made in their country to fight discrimination. Schools and universities, parents, the media and the national government are seen as the main actors in combating discrimination. Only ten per cent of the European citizens find that local or regional authorities have an important role to play.

The above results not only highlight the need to raise the public’s awareness of the non-discrimination right across the EU, but also the need for an increased effort to tackle discrimination. With the designation of 2007 as the 'European Year of Equal Opportunities for All', the EU hopes to give new impetus to combating discrimination and promoting equal opportunities for everyone.