The aims of the conference are:
– To provide NGOs with background information and an update on the current
development of the transposition process in the EU member states
– To mobilise the NGO community to actively involve themselves in the
transposition process, especially when it comes to the dialogue
between governments and NGOs, as laid down in the directive
– To identify strategies to monitor effective implementation after
transposition is completed
– To establish support mechanisms where expertise and help is needed in the
implementation process.
Who should attend?
Activists and representatives of NGOs in- and outside of the ENAR network
Politicians and other political decision-makers from the national and EU level
Government officials and officials of ministries
Academics, experts and researchers
Central Aspects
The ‘Race Directive’ includes various central instruments that facilitate
the fight against discrimination and racist acts. NGOs need to be informed
and become active to ensure that these elements are
included in the national legislation and implemented properly:
A common definition of discrimination, including controversial issues such
as indirect discrimination and – even more controversial – harassment.
The shift in burden of proof obliges the perpetrator to prove that s/he did
not discriminate. This requires the willingness of governments to use civil
or administrative law to transpose the race directive.
Specialised bodies need to be established to support the actual
implementation of the directive, to inform the public, to monitor
the implementation and to support victims of racism. These should be
independent from governments.
The defence of rights will allow relevant organisations and institutions to
support individual victims of racism in their court
case. The key question to be clarified is, which NGOs will have this right
to defend victims.
The dialogue with NGOs is the most relevant point in the directive for a
European network in the fight against racism such as ENAR.
Governments need to involve NGOs in the fight against racism during the
implementation period of the directive. Yet, it is also up
to NGOs to make their voices heard and to get actively involved.
The Conference will bring together experts from the European Commission,
governments, academia and NGOs from all over Europe to
share their knowledge, strategies and best practices on these issues.
For further information:
http://www.enar-eu.org/en/events/racedirective.shtml
