The decision by the European Commission to withdraw crucial EU Anti-Discrimination legislation from its 2025 Work Programme represents an attack on the rights of people with disabilities, LGBTQI members and minority groups, MEP Maria Walsh has said.
The European Commission took the decision this week to withdraw the Horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive from its 2025 Work Programme priorities. The Directive aims to provide vital protection against discrimination on the grounds of disability, religion, age and sexual orientation.
As the EPP lead negotiator, MEP Walsh has led efforts on behalf of the Parliament’s largest group to advocate for the implementation of this Directive. Negotiators from across the Parliament are writing to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib, and Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law Michael McGrath, expressing their deep disappointment with the decision.
MEP Walsh is calling on the European Commission to urgently reconsider its decision.
MEP Maria Walsh, member of the Justice & Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee, said:
“The decision to withdraw this Directive has come as a complete surprise to MEPs, and represents an attack on the rights of the millions of Europeans who lack adequate legal protections against discrimination in their everyday lives.
“This piece of legislation has the potential to be transformative for vulnerable citizens across Ireland and the EU, with practical and meaningful applications. For example, under the Directive, public buildings and transport would be required to be accessible for all, including those with disabilities.
“Due to the fact that this is a Horizontal Directive, individuals would be protected from discrimination in a range of environments and scenarios; including schools, public institutions, transport, hospitals and more. Sadly, this is not currently the case at an EU level.
“The Directive has been blocked by the Council of the EU since 2008 due to a lack of political consensus from Member States. For 17 years, a crucial puzzle piece has been missing from the EU anti-discrimination framework. For 17 years, MEPs have worked to finally put this missing piece of the puzzle into place. It has never been easy, but it has always been right. It is regrettable that the Commission now seems to have chosen the easy way out instead of the right way forward.
“It is important to note that real progress has been made on this issue over the past number of months. We have seen strong political commitment from Poland since they took up the Presidency of the Council of the EU, with a key vote on the Directive due to take place in June – the first time such a vote has been scheduled in years.
“The decision taken this week by the Commission directly contradicts previous commitments made by Commissioner Lahbib during the Commissioner hearings – specifically, her pledge to prioritize negotiations on this Directive and work closely with the European Parliament towards its adoption.
“We need clear answers from the Commission. Why was this decision taken? What efforts were made to progress negotiations on the file before this withdrawal? And, will the Commission commit to presenting new anti-discrimination legislation to fill this gap?
“As well as raising this issue directly with the Commission, including Ireland’s Commissioner Michael McGrath, I will be writing to Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Norma Foley and Minister for Disabilities Hildegarde Naughton to ensure they are aware of the potential impacts this decision will have on Irish people.
“At a time when the rights of minorities are under attack in the US, the EU must stand together. We must remain united in our fight for diversity and equality – not only symbolically, but with binding legislation.”
