Roma equality, inclusion and participation 2021/C 93/01 - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 93/1

Council Directive 2000/43/EC (1) lays down a framework for combating discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin throughout the Union in relation to employment, education, social protection, including social security and healthcare, social advantages and access to and the supply of goods and services, including housing. One purpose of this Recommendation is to contribute to the effective implementation of that Directive, without prejudice to the competences of the Member States.

Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA (2) obliges Member States to criminalise public incitement to violence or hatred on the grounds of race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin and to ensure that racist and xenophobic motivation is considered an aggravating circumstance or, alternatively, that it may be taken into consideration by national courts in the determination of the penalties. This Recommendation is designed to strengthen the measures taken against hate speech, hate crime and violence directed against Roma people. In line with Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), this Recommendation also aims to promote support to Roma victims of such crimes.

The European Pillar of Social Rights expresses principles and rights which aim to support and increase social fairness, irrespective of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Universal measures complemented by targeted measures to protect and support groups at high risk of discrimination or social exclusion such as those set out in this Recommendation are key for the implementation of the Social Pillar principles. Delivering on the Pillar is a shared political commitment and responsibility. It should be implemented both at Union and at Member State level in line with the respective competences, taking due account of different socio-economic environments and the diversity of national systems, including the role of the social partners, while fully respecting the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.

This Recommendation also contributes to the sustained development of equal and inclusive democratic societies in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The Commission has submitted proposals to the European Parliament and the Council for the Common Provisions Regulation for 2021-2027, the European Social Fund Plus for 2021-2027 (‘ESF+ for 2021-2027’), and the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund for 2021-2027. Those proposals refer to equality and non-discrimination as horizontal principles that should be adhered to in the implementation of those Funds. The proposal for the ESF+ for 2021-2027 specifically calls on Member States and the Commission to ensure equality and non-discrimination in the implementation of Union programmes and refers to the promotion of the socio-economic integration of third country nationals and the inclusion of marginalised communities such as the Roma, which is linked to the enabling condition of a national Roma strategic framework. Pending adoption of those proposals, this Recommendation contributes to their effective future implementation.

The Commission Communication of 3 March 2010, entitled ‘Europe 2020: a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’ (the ‘Europe 2020 strategy’), has given...