05/04/2021
Accem, Asociación Rumiñahui, CERMI, CESIDA, Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado, Cruz Roja Española, Fundación Cepaim, Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gais, Trans y Bisexuales (FELGTB), Fundación Secretariado Gitano, HOGAR SÍ, Movimiento por la Paz –MPDL-, Red Acoge y Save the Children
The Alliance for the Comprehensive Law for Equal Treatment —comprised of 13 NGOs dedicated to the fight against all forms of discrimination—has submitted a joint document to Spanish Parliament containing its contributions to the Law, based on its experience working with people belonging to groups that suffer some form of discrimination.
In the document sent to the spokespersons of all parliamentary groups in the Equality Commission of the lower house of Spanish Parliament, the member entities have expressed their positive outlook on the law, as it addresses basic elements for the fight against discrimination in line with international and European standards, such as the establishment of a penalty system and the creation of an independent Equality Body. According to the Alliance, these elements are “essential for addressing discrimination, and we hope that they will be maintained throughout the proceedings”.
On the other hand, the Alliance also points to a series of areas for improvement in an effort to fortify the law as it goes through the parliamentary process. In this regard, the document highlights the need to expand on certain general principles, such as accessibility, the focus on child protection and dialogue with society. It also points to the need to strengthen the Equal Treatment Authority and its independent nature, as well as to bolster training for key actors in the fight against discrimination.
Likewise, member entities are calling for the incorporation of diversity plans in companies, a clearer definition of conduct that can lead to penalties and improved regulation in areas such as intersectionality, reversal of the burden of proof, redress, discrimination in the public sphere, structural discrimination and discrimination found in certain institutions, such as the police, social services or the justice system.
In terms of protecting victims, the NGOs warn of significant gaps, given that the Law does not contemplate sufficiently effective mechanisms for comprehensive protection, such as accompaniment and translation. In the case of migrants in an irregular administrative situation, the organisations are urging legislators to protect them from disciplinary proceedings that could lead to deportation when they report cases of discrimination.
Alliance members are calling on all parliamentary groups to take these proposals into account when proposing amendments to the articles, which, in their opinion, “will serve to shore up protection for victims of discrimination and the principle of equal treatment in a broad sense in our country”.
Formed in July of last year by organisations dedicated to the fight against racial or ethnic discrimination, the Alliance has now been expanded to include other NGOs working to combat the other forms of discrimination referred to in the law. The Alliance is made up of the following members: Accem, Asociación Rumiñahui, CERMI, CESIDA, Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado, Cruz Roja Española, Fundación Cepaim, Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gais, Trans y Bisexuales (FELGTB), Fundación Secretariado Gitano, HOGAR SÍ, Movimiento por la Paz –MPDL–, Red Acoge and Save the Children
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