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EU backs Liz's "no hierarchy of discrimination"
May 20, 2008 11:17 PM
Liz Lynne is Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands
The European Parliament has voted to adopt a report by the Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands, Liz Lynne, calling for protection for bisexual, gay and lesbian people from discrimination.
Liz Lynne's report calls on the European Commission to adhere to its commitment to a "comprehensive directive" to combat any discrimination in access to goods and services on grounds of sex, race, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Her report was adopted by the European Parliament with 362 MEPs in favour, 262 against and 56 abstaining.
"We must move away from the piecemeal approach, there can be no hierarchy of discrimination," Ms Lynne said during the debate. A new directive must cover discrimination to access and services on all grounds that have not been covered as yet under Article 13 legislation: disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation. Race and Gender are already covered, as is employment.
"The Commission made the commitment to a comprehensive directive in its work programme for 2008.
"There appears to be some backtracking on this and they might only bring forward legislation on disability and nothing else, this is not acceptable. Every EU citizen must be treated equally."
The Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights immediately welcomed the adoption of the Lynne Report.
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