Brussels, 24 February 2003- On 27-28 February the Convention on the Future of Europe will discuss a proposal prepared by the Presidium on the first 16 articles setting the values and aims of the European Union.

The European Network Against Racism, European Women's Lobby, International Lesbians and Gays Association Europe, AGE- the European Older People's Platform- and the European Disability Forum, have major concerns that the new proposal constitutes a real weakening and a backward move from the Community acquis on fundamental rights.

At present non discrimination on the ground of sex, racial or ethnical origin, belief or religion, sexual orientation, disability and age is among the fundamental principles of the EU, with an overarching and mainstreaming effect on all EU policies.

In the first part of the new Constitution, there is no reference to combating non-discrimination of the groups identified in current Article 13 at all.

The fight against discrimination must remain a main thread linking the provisions on values and objectives (first part of the EU Constitutional Treaty) to the provisions on competences and policies (second part of the Treaty).

We are campaigning vigourously towards the Convention to promote fundamental rights calling on them to amend the first 16 Articles as follows:

Change article 2 - Values of the European Union -, add "equality for all, and equality of women and men"
Change Article 3 - Objectives - add: 'non-discrimination on the basis of racial or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability and age.' Extend the scope of Article 6 to all grounds of discrimination as defined in current article 12 and 13. Add second paragraph: 'Without prejudice to any of its specific provisions, any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited'
Change Article 12(4) - shared competences- , add 'The fight against discrimination' and 'gender equality'

Please find attached a Word version of the press release.

For further information contact:

The European Women's Lobby (EWL) is the largest co-ordinating body of national and European non-governmental women's organisations in the European Union, with over 3000 member associations in the 15 Member States. The EWL's goal is to achieve equality of women and men in Europe and to serve as a link between political decision-makers and women's organisations at EU level. Mary McPhail - Secretary General, Tel +32 2 217 90 20, mcphail@womenlobby.org

ENAR, the European Network Against Racism, is a Europe-wide network with over 600 members which is dedicated to the fight against all forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity and religion. Please visit our website www.enar-eu.org for further information on our objectives and activities. ENAR is a member of the Social Platform. Sophie de Jonckheere, Policy Manager, +32 2 229 35 70, sophie.enar@skynet.be

ILGA-Europe is a non-profit organisation with about 130 members including national and local LGBT organisation in some 30 countries. It serves as an umbrella organisation working at European level for human rights and against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. Its aim is to contribute significantly to the achievement of a Europe in which all LGBT people can live in equality and free from discrimination. Birgit Hardt, Public Affairs Officer, Tel +32 2 732 54 88, birgit@ilga-europe.org

AGE, the European Older People's Platform, aims to voice and promote the interests of older people in the European Union and to raise awareness of the issues that concern them most. AGE is involved in a range of policy and information activities to put older people's issues on the EU agenda and to support networking among older people's groups. Among our guiding principles is that a change of attitudes is needed to achieve a society for all ages, seeking solidarity between generations in a way that recognizes older people's contributions to society. AGE is committed to combating all forms of age discrimination in all areas of life. Catherine Daurele, Communication Officer, Tel +32 2 280 14 70, catherine@age-platform.be

The European Disability Forum (EDF) is a European umbrella organisation with 85 European NGOs and 17 National Platforms representing the interests of 37 million disabled citizens in the EU. Our mission is to advance disabled people's human rights and promote equal opportunities in the EU Institutions and Member States in accordance with principles of non-discrimination. For further information see: www.edf-feph.org Carlotta Besozzi, Policy Officer, Tel +32 2 2865181, membership@edf-feph.org

Birgit Hardt
Public Affairs Officer
tel.: +32-2 732 62 48

ILGA-Europe
The European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association avenue de Tervueren 94 - 1040 Brussels - Belgium - fax: +32-2 732 51 64 - www.ilga-europe.org

ILGA-Europe is a European NGO for national and local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups. ILGA-Europe works for human rights and against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination at European level.


ILGA-Europe, 26. Februar 2003