02/06/2023
Accem, Rumiñahui Association, CERMI, CESIDA, Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR), Red Cross, Cepaim Foundation, FELGTB, Fundación Secretariado Gitano, HOGAR SÍ, Movement for Peace-MPDL, Provivienda, Red Acoge and Save The Children.
On July 12 of the last year, the Comprehensive Law for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination was finally approved in Spain. This was a milestone that was widely celebrated and recognized by the Alliance for Equal Treatment Law. As expressed by the Alliance in a press release issued at the time of approval, this law constitutes an “essential instrument to fight discrimination and comply with the principle of equality in a broad and comprehensive manner”, one of its most important elements being the creation of the Independent Authority for Equal Treatment.
This organism, in addition to being a requirement established by European regulations on the fight against discrimination, is essential for the application of the Law. Among its different functions, it is in charge of ensuring compliance with the regulations on equal treatment, conducting investigations into the existence of possible situations of discrimination of particular gravity, and to request the action of the State Administration to sanction the conduct constituting an administrative offense.
The day on which exactly 2 months have elapsed since the expiration of the period granted to the Government for its creation, the entities that make up this Alliance have confirmed that, without an organism that ensures compliance, it is practically impossible to effectively apply the law. Therefore, and after having previously requested the Government for its prompt configuration, the Alliance demands its immediate implementation. The constitution of this organism would also demonstrate the authorities’ commitment to the victims of discrimination one week from the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination that is celebrated on March 21.
Effective application of the Comprehensive Law for Equal Treatment
Furthermore, the Alliance recalls that the obligations established in the Comprehensive Law for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination are applicable to the entire public sector. Thus, the different competent Public Administrations, both at the regional, local and judicial levels, must promote the right to equal treatment, train their personnel in this matter, attend to victims of any form of discrimination, and punish those conducts constituting an offense.
The unjustified delay in the creation of the Independent Authority cannot protect the ignorance and the general lack of compliance with the law, therefore, the Alliance demands that the competent Public Administrations immediately guarantee effective compliance with the Comprehensive Law for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination.
The Alliance for the Equal Treatment Law is made up, in its current composition, by the following organizations: Accem, Rumiñahui Association, CERMI, CESIDA, Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR), Red Cross, Cepaim Foundation, FELGTB, Fundación Secretariado Gitano, HOGAR SÍ, Movement for Peace-MPDL, Provivienda, Red Acoge and Save The Children.
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