Prawne i polityczne aspekty polityki antydyskryminacyjnej Rady Europy

Abstract

Council of Europe has a long history of combating discrimination, although this subject has been dealt with in different institutional setting. The principles of equality and non-discrimination feature prominently and repeatedly in the Council of Europe documents. Promoting human rights and non-discrimination have been focal issues for the Council of Europe ever since its founding, paving the way for numerous policy measures, campaigns, conferences, trainings and debates. This paper presents current trends in Council of Europe’s non-discrimination policy, as well as the historic review of the process of its development. It focuses, both on the presentation of instruments and practical effects. The Council of Europe has played a key role in the development of a common anti-discrimination agenda. European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the Protocol no. 12, as well as the other instruments dealt with in this presentation, were a major step in the fight against discrimination in Europe. At the level of general orientation of the Council of Europe policy against discrimination the legislation prohibiting discrimination brings forth effective results. Nevertheless, combating discrimination and un-equality requires more than prohibition. Therefore, the Council of Europe must not see progress to date as the endgame, but rather a first step towards a society in which everyone can participate equally.