Promoting equal opportunities 

Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits discrimination for any reason such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language religion or belief, political or other opinion, membership of a national minority, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.

 Prohibiting discrimination and protecting fundamental rights are important elements of the EU legal order. Even so, discrimination against certain groups persists throughout the Union.

 The European Parliament is fully committed to tackling this problem and to promoting equality in the EU’s legislation and policies.

Equality between women and men is a fundamental value of the European Union.

 The European Parliament plays a significant role in supporting equality between women and men and equal opportunities, in particular through its Committee on Women’s Right and Gender Equality and by promoting gender mainstreaming in the work of its committees and delegations.

The Union recognises and respects the right of persons with disabilities to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence, social and occupational integration and participation in the life of the community.

The Union is a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has an important role in promoting, protecting and monitoring of the Union’s implementation of the Convention.

The European Parliament is strongly committed to fighting racism and xenophobia.

It has called on the Union and its Member States to take action to prevent and combat racism and xenophobia through education, promoting a culture of respect and tolerance.

The European Parliament has on many occasions called for a comprehensive multi-annual policy to protect the fundamental rights of LGBTI people. The Commission has published a list of actions to advance in LGBTI equality throughout the Union.