[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

[pic] | KUMMISSJONI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ |

Brussels, 2.7.2008

Brussel 2.7.2008

COM(2008) 426 final

KUMM(2008) 426 finali

2008/0140 (CNS)

2008/0140 (CNS)

Proposal for a

Proposta għal

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE

DIRETTIVA TAL-KUNSILL

on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation

dwar l-implimentazzjoni tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali bejn il-persuni irrispettivament mir-reliġjon jew it-twemmin, id-diżabilità, l-età jew l-orjentazzjoni sesswali

(presented by the Commission) {SEC(2008) 2180}{SEC(2008) 2181}

{SEG(2008) 2180}{SEG(2008) 2181}

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

(preżentati mill-Kummissjoni)

1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

MEMORANDUM TA’ SPJEGAZZJONI

Grounds for and objectives of the proposal

1. KUNTEST TAL-PROPOSTA

The aim of this proposal is to implement the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation outside the labour market. It sets out a framework for the prohibition of discrimination on these grounds and establishes a uniform minimum level of protection within the European Union for people who have suffered such discrimination.

Raġunijiet għal u għanijiet tal-proposta

This proposal supplements the existing EC legal framework under which the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation applies only to employment, occupation and vocational training[1].

L-għan ta’ din il-proposta huwa li timplimenta l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali bejn persuni irrispettivament mir-reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali barra mis-suq tax-xogħol. Hija tistabbilixxi qafas għall-projbizzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni għal dawn ir-raġunijiet u tistabbilixxi livell minimu uniformi ta’ protezzjoni fl-Unjoni Ewropea għal persuni li soffrew din id-diskriminazzjoni.

General context

Din il-proposta tissupplimenta l-qafas legali KE fis-seħħ skond liema l-projbizzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni għal raġunijiet ta’ reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali tapplika biss għal impjieg, xogħol u taħriġ professjonali[1].

The Commission announced in its legislative and work programme adopted on 23 October 2007[2] that it would propose new initiatives to complete the EU anti-discrimination legal framework.

Kuntest ġenerali

The current proposal is presented as part of the ‘Renewed Social Agenda: Opportunities, access and solidarity in 21st century Europe'[3], and accompanies the Communication ‘Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities: A Renewed Commitment’[4].

Il-Kummissjoni ddikjarat fil-programm leġiżlattiv u ta’ ħidma adottat fit-23 ta’ Ottubru 2007[2] li se tipproponi inizjattivi ġodda sabiex tikkompleta l-qafas legali ta’ l-UE kontra d-diskriminazzjoni.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been signed by the Member States and the European Community. It is based on the principles of non-discrimination, participation and inclusion in society, equal opportunities and accessibility . A proposal for the conclusion of the Convention by the European Community has been presented to the Council[5].

Il-proposta in kwistjoni hija ppreżentata bħala parti mill-“Aġenda Soċjali Rinnovata: Opportunitajiet, aċċess u solidarjetà fl-Ewropa tas-seklu 21”[3], u takkompanja l-Komunikazzjoni “Nuqqas ta’ Diskriminazzjoni u Opportunitajiet Ugwali: Impenn Rinnovat”[4].

Existing provisions in the area of the proposal

Il-Konvenzjoni tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti dwar id-Drittijiet tal-Persuni b’Diżabilitajiet kienet iffirmata mill-Istati Membri u l-Komunità Ewropea. Hija bbażata fuq il-prinċipji ta’ nuqqas ta’ diskriminazzjoni, parteċipazzjoni u inklużjoni fis-soċjetà, opportunitajiet ugwali u aċċessibilità . Proposta għall-konklużjoni tal-Konvenzjoni mill-Komunità Ewropea kienet ippreżentata lill-Kunsill[5].

This proposal builds upon Directives 2000/43/EC, 2000/78/EC and 2004/113/EC[6] which prohibit discrimination on grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief[7]. Discrimination based on race or ethnic origin is prohibited in employment, occupation and vocational training, as well as in non-employment areas such as social protection, health care, education and access to goods and services, including housing, which are available to the public. Discrimination based on sex is prohibited in the same range of areas, with the exception of education and media and advertising. However, discrimination based on age, religion and belief, sexual orientation and disability is prohibited only in employment, occupation and vocational training.

Dispożizzjonijiet eżistenti fil-qasam tal-proposta

Directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC had to be transposed into national law by 2003, with the exception of those provisions dealing with age and disability discrimination, for which an extra three years was available. A report on the implementation of Directive 2000/43/EC was adopted by the Commission in 2006[8] and a report on the implementation of Directive 2000/78/EC was adopted on 19 June 2008[9]. All except one Member State have transposed these directives. Directive 2004/113/EC had to be transposed by the end of 2007.

Din il-proposta tibni fuq id-Direttivi 2000/43/KE, 2000/78/KE u 2004/113/KE[6] li jipprojbixxu diskriminazzjoni għal raġunijiet ta’ sess, razza jew oriġini etnika, età, diżabilità, orjentazzjoni sesswali, reliġjon jew twemmin[7]. Diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq oriġini etnika u razzjali hija projbita fl-impjieg, xogħol u taħriġ professjonali, kif ukoll f’oqsma ta’ nuqqas ta’ impjieg bħal protezzjoni soċjali, protezzjoni tas-saħħa, edukazzjoni u aċċess għal provvisti u servizzi, inkluż akkomodazzjoni, li huma disponibbli għall-pubbliku. Diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq sess hija projbita fl-istess sfera ta’ oqsma, bl-eċċezzjoni ta’ edukazzjoni u midja u reklamar. Madankollu, diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq età, reliġjon u twemmin, orjentazzjoni sesswali u diżabilità hija projbita biss f’impjieg, xogħol u taħriġ professjonali.

As far as possible, the concepts and rules provided for in this proposal build on those used in the existing Directives based on Article 13 EC.

Id-Direttivi 2000/43/KE u 2000/78/KE kellhom ikunu trasposti fil-liġi nazzjonali sa l-2003, bl-eċċezzjoni ta’ dawk id-dispożizzjonijiet li jittrattaw diskriminazzjoni ta’ età u diżabilità, li għalihom huma disponibbli tliet snin żejda. Rapport dwar l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva 2000/43/KE kien adottat mill-Kummissjoni fl’2006[8] u rapport dwar l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva 2000/78/KE kien adottat fid-19 ta’ Ġunju 2008[9]. L-Istati Membri kollha minbarra wieħed ittrasponew dawn id-direttivi. Id-Direttiva 2004/113/KE kellha tkun trasposta sa l-aħħar ta’ l-2007.

Consistency with other policies and objectives of the Union

Sa fejn hu possibbli, il-kunċetti u regoli stabbiliti f’din il-proposta jibnu fuq dawk użati fid-Direttivi eżistenti bbażati fuq l-Artikolu 13 KE.

This proposal builds upon the strategy developed since the Amsterdam Treaty to combat discrimination and is consistent with the horizontal objectives of the European Union, and in particular with the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs and the objectives of the EU Social Protection and Social Inclusion Process. It will help to further the fundamental rights of citizens, in line with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Konsistenza ma’ politiki u għanijiet oħra ta’ l-Unjoni

2. CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Din il-proposta tibni fuq l-istrateġija żviluppata sa mit-Trattat ta’ Amsterdam biex tiġġieled kontra d-diskriminazzjoni u hija konsistenti ma’ l-għanijiet orizzontali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea, u b’mod partikolari ma’ l-Istrateġija ta’ Liżbona għat-Tkabbir u l-Impjiegi u l-għanijiet tal-Proċess ta’ Protezzjoni Soċjali u Inklużjoni Soċjali ta’ l-EU. Din se tgħin biex tiżviluppa d-drittijiet fundamentali taċ-ċittadini, skond il-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea.

Consultation

Konsultazzjoni tal-partijiet interessati u stima ta’ l-impatt

In preparing this initiative, the Commission sought to associate all stakeholders with a potential interest and care was taken to ensure that those who might want to comment would have the opportunity and time to respond. The European Year of Equal Opportunities for All provided a unique opportunity to highlight the issues and encourage participation in the debate.

Konsultazzjoni

Particular mention should be made of the public on-line consultation[10], a survey of the business sector[11], and a written consultation of, and meetings with, the social partners and European level NGOs active in the non-discrimination field[12]. The results of the public consultation and that of the NGOs were a call for legislation at EU level to increase the level of protection against discrimination although some argued for ground-specific directives in the area of disability and of sex. The European Business Test Panel consultation indicated that businesses believe it would be helpful to have the same level of protection from discrimination across the EU. The social partners representing business were against new legislation in principle, which they saw as increasing red tape and costs, while the trade unions were in favour.

Fil-preparazzjoni għal din l-inizjattiva, il-Kummissjoni ppruvat tgħaqqad il-partijiet interessati li għandhom interess potenzjali u attenzjoni kienet mogħtija sabiex tiżgura li dawk li jistgħu jixtiequ jikkummentaw ikollhom l-opportunità u ż-żmien biex jirrispondu. Is-Sena Ewropea ta’ Opportunitajiet Indaqs għal Kulħadd ipprovdiet opportunità unika biex tenfasizza l-kwistjonijiet u tinkoraġġixxi l-parteċipazzjoni fid-dibattitu.

The responses to the consultation highlighted concerns about how a new Directive would deal with a number of sensitive areas and also revealed misunderstandings about the limits or extent of Community competence. The proposed Directive addresses these concerns and makes explicit the limits of Community competence. Within these limits the Community has the power to act (Article 13 EC Treaty) and believes that action at EU level is the best way forward.

Għandha tissemma b’mod partikolari l-konsultazzjoni pubblika onlajn[10], stħarriġ tas-settur tan-negozju[11], u konsultazzjoni bil-miktub ta’, u laqgħat ma’, l-imsieħba soċjali u NGOs ta’ livell Ewropew attivi fil-qasam ta’ nuqqas ta’ diskriminazzjoni[12]. Ir-riżultati tal-konsultazzjoni pubblika u dik ta’ l-NGOs kienu sejħa għal-leġiżlazzjoni fuq livell Ewropew sabiex jiżdied il-livell ta’ protezzjoni kontra d-diskriminazzjoni għalkemm kien hemm min talab direttivi b’raġunijiet speċifiċi fil-qasam ta’ diżabilità u ta’ sess. Il-konsultazzjoni tal-Bord Ewropew tat-Test tan-Negozju indika li n-negozji jemmnu li jkun ta’ għajnuna jekk ikun hemm l-istess livell ta’ protezzjoni minn diskriminazzjoni madwar l-UE. L-imsieħba soċjali li jirrappreżentaw in-negozju kienu kontra leġiżlazzjoni ġdida bħala prinċipju, li huma qiesu li żżid xogħol żejjed u spejjeż, filwaqt li s-sindakati kienu favuriha.

The responses also emphasised the specific nature of disability-related discrimination and the measures needed to address it. These are addressed in a specific Article.

Ir-risposti għall-konsultazzjoni enfasizzaw tħassib dwar kif Direttiva ġdida għandha titratta numru ta’ oqsma sensittivi u rrivelaw ukoll nuqqas ta’ ftehim dwar il-limiti jew il-miżura ta’ kompetenza Komunitarja. Id-Direttiva proposta tindirizza dan it-tħassib u tpoġġi limiti espliċiti fuq il-kompetenza tal-Komunità. F’dawn il-limiti l-Komunità għandha l-poter li taġixxi (l-Artikolu 13, it-Trattat tal-KE) u temmen li azzjoni fuq livell Ewropew huwa l-aħjar metodu.

Concerns have been expressed that a new Directive would bring costs for business but it should be emphasised that this proposal builds largely on concepts used in the existing directives with which economic operators are familiar. As to measures to deal with disability discrimination, the concept of reasonable accommodation is familiar to businesses since it was established in Directive 2000/78/EC. The Commission proposal specifies the factors to be taken into account when assessing what is 'reasonable'.

Ir-risposti enfasizzaw ukoll in-natura speċifika ta’ diskriminazzjoni relatata ma’ diżabilità u l-miżuri neċessarji biex tkun indirizzata. Dawn huma indirizzati f’Artikolu speċifiku.

It was pointed out that, unlike the other two Directives, Directive 2000/78/EC does not require Member States to establish equality bodies. Attention was also drawn to the need to tackle multiple discrimination, for example by defining it as discrimination and by providing effective remedies. These issues go beyond the scope of this Directive but nothing prevents Member States taking action in these areas.

Kien espress tħassib li Direttiva ġdida ġġib magħha spejjeż fin-negozju iżda għandu jkun enfasizzat li din il-proposta hija bbażata l-aktar fuq kunċetti użati fid-direttivi eżistenti li operaturi ekonomiċi huma familjari magħhom. Fir-rigward ta’ miżuri li jittrattaw diskriminazzjoni ta’ diżabilità, il-kunċett ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli hija familjari għal negozji peress li kien stabbilit fid-Direttiva 2000/78/KE. Il-proposta tal-Kummissjoni tispeċifika l-fatturi li għandhom ikunu kkunsidrati fl-evalwazzjoni ta’ x’inhu “raġonevoli”.

Finally, it was pointed out that the scope of protection from sex discrimination under Directive 2004/113/EC is not as extensive as in Directive 2000/43/EC and that this should be addressed in new legislation. The Commission does not take up this suggestion now since the date for transposition of Directive 2004/113/EC has only just passed. However the Commission will report in 2010 on the Directive’s implementation and can propose modifications then, if appropriate.

Kien osservat li, għall-kuntrarju taż-żewġ Direttivi l-oħra, id-Direttiva 2000/78/KE ma tirrikjedix li Stati Membri jistabbilixxu korpi ta’ ugwaljanza. Kienet miġbuda l-attenzjoni wkoll lejn il-bżonn li tkun trattata diskriminazzjoni multipla, per eżempju permezz ta’ definizzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni u l-istabbiliment ta’ rimedji effettivi. Dawn il-kwistjonijiet jmorru lil hinn mill-iskop ta’ din id-Direttiva iżda xejn ma jostakola lill-Istati Membri milli jieħdu azzjoni f’dawn l-oqsma.

Collection and use of expertise

Fl-aħħarnett, kien osservat li l-iskop ta’ protezzjoni minn diskriminazzjoni ta’ sess skond id-Direttiva 2004/113/KE mhux daqshekk estensiv bħal fid-Direttiva 2000/43/KE u li dan għandu jkun indirizzat f’leġiżlazzjoni ġdida. Il-Kummissjoni ma tikkunsidrax dan is-suġġeriment issa peress li d-data għat-traspożizzjoni tad-Direttiva 2004/113/KE għadha kif skadiet. Madankollu l-Kummissjoni se tagħmel rapport fl-2010 dwar l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva u tista’ tipproponi modifikazzjonijiet wara, skond kif ikun xieraq.

A study[13] in 2006 showed that, on the one hand, most countries provide legal protection in some form that goes beyond the current EC requirements in most of the areas examined, and on the other hand, there was a good deal of variety between countries as to the degree and nature of the protection. It also showed that very few countries carried out ex-ante impact assessments on non-discrimination legislation. A further study[14] looked at the nature and extent of discrimination outside employment in the EU, and the potential (direct and indirect) costs this may have for individuals and society.

Ġbir u użu ta’ ħila esperta

In addition, the Commission has used the reports from the European Network of Independent Experts in the non-discrimination field, notably their overview ‘Developing Anti-Discrimination Law in Europe‘[15] as well as a study on ’Tackling Multiple Discrimination: practices, policies and laws’[16].

Studju[13] fl-2006 wera li, min-naħa waħda, ħafna pajjiżi pprovdew protezzjoni legali f’xi forma li tmur lil hinn mir-rekwiżiti KE kurrenti f’ħafna mill-oqsma eżaminati, u min-naħa l-oħra, kien hemm ammont sostanzjali ta’ varjetà bejn pajjiżi rigward il-livell u n-natura tal-protezzjoni. Dan wera wkoll li kienu ftit il-pajjiżi li wettqu stimi ta’ l-impatt ex - ante fuq leġiżlazzjoni li mhijiex diskriminatorja. Studju ieħor[14] eżamina n-natura u l-miżura ta’ diskriminazzjoni barra impjieg fl-UE, u l-ispejjeż potenzjali (diretti u indiretti) li dan jista’ jkollu għal individwi u s-soċjetà.

Also relevant are the results of a special Eurobarometer survey [17] and a Eurobarometer flash survey in February 2008[18].

Barra minn hekk, il-Kummissjoni użat ir-rapporti min-Netwerk Ewropew ta’ Esperti Indipendenti fil-qasam ta’ nuqqas ta’ diskriminazzjoni, notevolament id-deskrizzjoni fil-qosor tagħhom “L-Iżvilupp ta’ Liġi Kontra d-Diskriminazzjoni fl-Ewropa”[15] kif ukoll studju dwar “Indirizzar ta’ Diskriminazzjoni Multipla: prattiċi, politiki u liġijiet”[16]

Impact assessment

Huma relevanti wkoll ir-riżultati ta’ stħarriġ speċjali Eurobarometer [17] u stħarriġ Eurobarometer fil-qosor fi Frar 2008[18].

The impact assessment report[19] looked at evidence of discrimination outside the labour market. It found that, while non-discrimination is recognised to be one of the fundamental values of the EU, in practice the level of legal protection to secure these values differs between Member States and between discrimination grounds. As result, those at risk of discrimination often find themselves less able to participate fully in society and the economy, with negative effects both for the individual and for broader society.

Stima ta’ impatt

The report defined three objectives which any initiative should meet:

Ir-rapport ta’ stima ta’ impatt[19] ikkunsidra evidenza ta’ diskriminazzjoni barra mis-suq tax-xogħol. Huwa sab li, filwaqt li nuqqas ta’ diskriminazzjoni hija rikonoxxuta bħala waħda mill-valuri fundamentali ta’ l-UE, fil-prattika l-livell ta’ protezzjoni legali sabiex ikunu żgurati dawn il-valuri huwa differenti bejn Stati Membri u bejn raġunijiet għal diskriminazzjoni. Bħala riżultat, dawk fir-riskju ta’ diskriminazzjoni ħafna drabi jsibu lilhom infushom inqas kapaċi biex jipparteċipaw totalment fis-soċjetà u l-ekonomija, b’effetti negattivi kemm għall-individwu u għal soċjetà usa’.

- to increase protection from discrimination ;

Ir-rapport iddefinixxa tliet għanijiet li kwalunkwe inizjattiva għandha tilħaq:

- to ensure legal certainty for economic operators and potential victims across the Member States;

- sabiex iżżid protezzjoni kontra diskriminazzjoni ;

- to enhance social inclusion and promote the full participation of all groups in society and the economy.

- sabiex tiżgura ċertezza legali għal operaturi ekonomiċi u vittmi potenzjali fl-Istati Membri;

Of the various measures identified that could help reach the objectives, six options were selected for further analysis, notably no new action at EU level; self-regulation; recommendations; and one or more directives prohibiting discrimination outside the employment sphere .

- sabiex iżżid inklużjoni soċjali u tippromovi parteċipazzjoni totali tal-gruppi kollha fis-soċjetà u l-ekonomija.

In any event, Member States will have to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which defines the denial of reasonable accommodation as discrimination. A legally binding measure which prohibits discrimination on grounds of disability entails financial costs because of the adaptations needed but there are also benefits from the fuller economic and social inclusion of groups currently facing discrimination.

Mid-diversi miżuri identifikati li jistgħu jgħinu sabiex jintlaħqu l-għanijiet, sitt alternattivi kienu magħżula għal iktar analiżi, notevolment ebda azzjoni ġdida fuq livell Ewropew; regolazzjoni tagħhom infushom; rakkomandazzjonijiet; u direttiva waħda jew iktar li jipprojbixxu diskriminazzjoni barra l-isfera ta’ l-impjieg .

The report concludes that a multi-ground directive would be the appropriate response, designed so as to respect the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. A small number of Member States already have rather complete legislative protection while most others have some, but less comprehensive, protection. The legislative adaptation arising from new EC rules would therefore vary.

Fi kwalunkwe każ, l-Istati Membri għandhom jimplimentaw il-Konvenzjoni tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti dwar id-Drittijiet tal-Persuni b’Diżabilitajiet li tiddefinixxi ċaħda ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli bħala diskriminazzjoni. Miżura legalment vinkolanti li tipprojbixxi diskriminazzjoni għal raġunijiet ta’ diżabilità tinvolvi spejjeż finanzjarji minħabba l-adattazzjonijiet neċessarji iżda hemm ukoll benefiċċji mill-inklużjoni iktar soda ekonomika u soċjali li bħalissa taffaċċja diskriminazzjoni.

The Commission received many complaints about discrimination in the insurance and banking sector. The use of age or disability by insurers and banks to assess the risk profile of customers does not necessarily represent discrimination: it depends on the product. The Commission will initiate a dialogue with the insurance and banking industry together with other relevant stakeholders to achieve a better common understanding of the areas where age or disability are relevant factors for the design and pricing of the products offered in these sectors.

Ir-rapport jikkonkludi li direttiva b’diversi raġunijiet tkun ir-risposta approprjata, maħsuba sabiex tirrispetta l-prinċipji ta’ sussidjarjetà u proporzjonalità. Numru żgħir ta’ Stati Membri diġà għandhom protezzjoni leġiżlattiva pjuttost kompluta filwaqt li ħafna oħrajn għandhom xi protezzjoni, iżda waħda inqas komprensiva. L-adattazzjoni leġiżlattiva li tirriżulta mir-regoli KE ġodda għalhekk tkun tvarja.

3. LEGAL ASPECTS

Il-Kummissjoni rċeviet ħafna lmenti dwar diskriminazzjoni fis-settur ta’ l-assigurazzjoni u dak bankarju. L-użu ta’ età jew diżabilità minn assiguraturi u banek sabiex jevalwaw il-profil tar-riskju ta’ klijenti ma jirrappreżentax neċessarjament diskriminazzjoni: jiddependi fuq il-prodott. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tibda djalogu ma’ l-industrija ta’ l-assigurazzjoni u dik bankarja flimkien ma’ partijiet interessati oħra sabiex tikseb ftehim komuni aħjar fejn l-età jew diżabilità huma fatturi rilevanti għad-disinn u prezzar tal-prodotti offruti f’dawn is-setturi.

Legal base

2. ASPETTI LEGALI

The proposal is based on Article 13(1) EC Treaty.

Bażi legali

Subsidiarity and proportionality

Il-proposta hija bbażata fuq l-Artikolu 13(1) tat-Trattat KE.

The principle of subsidiarity applies insofar as the proposal does not fall under the exclusive competence of the Community. The objectives of the proposal cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States acting alone because only a Community–wide measure can ensure that there is a minimum standard level of protection against discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in all the Member States. A Community legal act provides legal certainty as to the rights and obligations of economic operators and citizens, including for those moving between the Member States. Experience with the previous directives adopted under Article 13(1) EC is that they had a positive effect in achieving a better protection against discrimination. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, the proposed directive does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the objectives set.

Sussidjarjetà u proporzjonalità

Moreover, national traditions and approaches in areas such as healthcare, social protection and education tend to be more diverse than in employment-related areas. These areas are characterised by legitimate societal choices in areas which fall within national competence.

Il-prinċipju ta’ sussidjarjetà japplika safejn il-proposta ma taqax taħt il-kompetenza esklużiva tal-Komunità. L-għanijiet tal-proposta ma jistgħux jintlaħqu b’mod suffiċjenti mill-Istati Membri li jaġixxu waħedhom għax miżura Komunitarja biss tista’ tiżgura li jkun hemm livell standard minimu ta’ protezzjoni kontra diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali fl-Istati Membri kollha. Att legali Komunitarju jipprovdi ċertezza legali rigward id-drittijiet u obbligazzjonijiet ta’ operaturi ekonomiċi u ċittadini, inkluż għal dawk fi Stati Membri. Esperjenza bid-direttivi preċedenti adottati skond l-Artikolu 13(1) KE hija li huma kellhom effett pożittiv fil-kisba ta’ protezzjoni aħjar kontra diskriminazzjoni. Skond il-prinċipju ta’ proporzjonalità, id-direttiva proposta ma tmurx lil hinn minn dak li huwa neċessarju sabiex tilħaq l-għanijiet stabbiliti.

The diversity of European societies is one of Europe's strengths, and is to be respected in line with the principle of subsidiarity. Issues such as the organisation and content of education, recognition of marital or family status, adoption, reproductive rights and other similar questions are best decided at national level. The Directive does not therefore require any Member State to amend its present laws and practices in relation to these issues. Nor does it affect national rules governing the activities of churches and other religious organisations or their relationship with the state. So, for example, it will remain for Member States alone to take decisions on questions such as whether to allow selective admission to schools, or prohibit or allow the wearing or display of religious symbols in schools, whether to recognise same-sex marriages, and the nature of any relationship between organised religion and the state.

Barra minn hekk, it-tradizzjonijiet u l-istrateġiji nazzjonali f’oqsma bħall-kura tas-saħħa, il-protezzjoni soċjali u l-edukazzjoni għandhom it-tendenza jkunu aktar diversi milli f’oqsma marbuta ma’ l-impjiegi. Dawn l-oqsma huma kkaratterizzati minn għażliet leġittimi tas-soċjetà f’oqsma li jaqgħu fi ħdan il-kompetenza nazzjonali.

Choice of instrument

Id-diversità tas-soċjetajiet Ewropej hija waħda mill-oqsma fejn l-Ewropa hija b'saħħitha, u għandha tiġi rrispettata skond il-prinċipju ta’ sussidjarjetà. Kwistjonijiet bħall-organizzazzjoni u l-kontenut ta’ l-edukazzjoni, ir-rikonoxximent ta’ l-istat ċivili jew familjari, l-adozzjoni, id-drittijiet ta’ riproduzzjoni u kwistjonijiet oħra simili l-aħjar li jiġu deċiżi f’livell nazzjonali. Id-Direttiva, għaldaqstant, ma tirrikjedix li xi Stat Membru jemenda l-liġijiet u l-prassi attwali tiegħu b’rabta ma’ dawn il-kwistjonijiet. Lanqas ma taffettwa r-regoli nazzjonali li jirregolaw l-attivitajiet ta’ knejjes jew organizzazzjonijiet reliġjużi oħra jew ir-relazzjoni tagħhom ma’ l-istat. Għalhekk, per eżempju, se jibqa’ f’idejn l-Istati Membri waħidhom li jieħdu deċiżjonijiet dwar kwistjonijiet bħal jekk jippermettux ammissjoni selettiva għall-iskejjel, jew jipprojbixxux jew jippermettux l-ilbies jew il-wiri ta’ simboli reliġjużi fl-iskejjel , jekk jirrikonoxxux żwiġijiet bejn persuni ta' l-istess sess, u n-natura ta' kull relazzjoni bejn reliġjon organizzata u l-istat.

A directive is the instrument that best ensures a coherent minimum level of protection against discrimination across the EU, whilst allowing individual Member States that want to go beyond the minimum standards to do so. It also allows them to choose the most appropriate means of enforcement and sanctions. Past experience in the non-discrimination field is that a directive was the most appropriate instrument.

Għażla ta’ strument

Correlation table

Direttiva hija l-istrument li jiżgura l-aħjar livell koerenti minimu ta’ protezzjoni kontra diskriminazzjoni fl-UE, filwaqt li tippermetti Stati Membri individwali li jridu jmorru lil hinn mill-istandards minimi sabiex jagħmlu dan. Hija tippermettilhom ukoll li jagħżlu l-iktar mezz ta’ infurzar u sanzjonijiet xierqa. Esperjenza tal-passat fil-qasam tan-nuqqas ta’ diskriminazzjoni hija li d-direttiva kienet l-iktar strument xieraq.

Member States are required to communicate to the Commission the text of national provisions transposing the directive as well as a correlation table between those provisions and the directive.

Tabella ta’ korrelazzjoni

European Economic Area

L-Istati Membri huma meħtieġa li jinnotifikaw lill-Kummissjoni bit-test tad-dispożizzjonijiet nazzjonali li jittrasponu d-direttiva kif ukoll tabella ta’ korrelazzjoni bejn dawk id-dispożizzjonijiet u d-direttiva.

This is a text of relevance to the European Economic Area and the Directive will be applicable to the non-EU Member States of the European Economic Area following a decision of the EEA Joint Committee

Żona Ekonomika Ewropea

4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

Dan huwa test ta’ rilevanza għaż-Żona Ekonomika Ewropea u d-Direttiva għandha tkun applikabbli għall-Istati Membri li mhumiex parti mill-Unjoni Ewropea taż-Żona Ekonomika Ewropea wara deċiżjoni tal-Kumitat Konġunt ŻEE

The proposal has no implications for the Community budget.

3. IMLIKAZZJONIJIET TA’ BAġIT

5. DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Il-proposta ma għandhiex implikazzjonijiet għall-baġit Komunitarju.

Article 1: Purpose

4. SPJEGAZZJONI DETTALJATA TAD-DISPOżIZZJONIJIET SPEċIFIċI

The main objective of the directive is to combat discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and to put into effect the principle of equal treatment, outside the field of employment. The directive does not prohibit differences of treatment based on sex which are covered by Articles 13 and 141 of the EC Treaty and related secondary legislation.

ARTI kolu 1: Skop

Article 2: Concept of discrimination

L-għan ewlieni tad-direttiva huwa li tiġġieled id-diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali u li ddaħħal fis-seħħ il-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali, barra mill-kamp ta’ l-impjieg. Id-direttiva ma tipprojbixxix differenzi ta’ trattament ibbażat fuq sess li huma koperti mill-Artikoli 13 u 141 tat-Trattat tal-KE u leġiżlazzjoni sekondarja relatata.

The definition of the principle of equal treatment is based on that contained in the previous directives adopted under Article 13(1) EC [as well as relevant case law of the European Court of Justice].

Arti kolu 2: Kunċett ta’ diskriminazzjoni

Direct discrimination consists of treating someone differently solely because of his or her age, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation. Indirect discrimination is more complex in that a rule or practice which seems neutral in fact has a particularly disadvantageous impact upon a person or a group of persons having a specific characteristic. The author of the rule or practice may have no idea of the practical consequences, and intention to discriminate is therefore not relevant. As in Directives 2000/43/EC, 2000/78/EC and 2002/73/EC[20], it is possible to justify indirect discrimination (if "that provision, criterion or practice is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary").

Id-definizzjoni tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali huwa bbażat fuq dak li jinstab fid-direttivi preċedenti adottati skond l-Artikolu 13(1) KE [kif ukoll ġurisprudenza rilevanti tal-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja Ewropea].

Harassment is a form of discrimination. The unwanted conduct can take different forms, from verbal or written comments, gestures or behaviour, but it has to be serious enough to create an intimidating, humiliating or offensive environment. This definition is identical to the definitions contained in the other Article 13 directives.

Diskriminazzjoni diretta tikkonsisti fit-trattament ta’ xi ħadd differenti sempliċiment minħabba l-età, diżabilità, reliġjon jew twemmin u orjentazzjoni sesswali tiegħu jew tagħha. Diskriminazzjoni indiretta hija iktar kumplessa fis-sens li regola jew prattika li tidher newtrali fil-fatt ikollha impatt ta’ żvantaġġ partikolari fuq persuna jew grupp ta’ persuni li għandhom karatteristika speċifika L-awtur tar-regola jew prattika jista’ ma jkollu ebda idea tal-konsegwenzi prattiċi, u intenzjoni li jiddiskrimina hija għalhekk ma tkunx rilevanti. Bħal fid-Direttivi 2000/43/KE, 2000/78/KE u 2002/73/KE[20] huwa possibbli li tkun ġustifikata diskriminazzjoni indiretta (jekk “dik id-dispożizzjoni, kriterju jew prattika mhix oġġettivament ġustifikata minn għan leġittimu u l-mezz li bih jintlaħaq dak l-għan huwa approporjat u neċessarju”).

A denial of reasonable accommodation is considered a form of discrimination. This is in line with the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities and coherent with Directive 2000/78/EC. Certain differences of treatment based on age may be lawful, if they are justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary (proportionality test).

Fastidju huwa forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni. Il-kondotta mhux mixtieqa tista’ tieħu diversi forom, minn kummenti verbali jew bil-miktub, mossi jew komportament, iżda għandha tkun serja biżżejjed sabiex toħloq ambjent intimidanti, umiljanti jew offensiv. Din id-definizzjoni hija identika għad-definizzjonijiet inklużi fid-direttivi l-oħra ta’ l-Artikolu 13.

In the existing Article 13 EC directives exceptions to the prohibition of direct discrimination were allowed for "genuine and determining occupational requirements", for differences of treatment based on age, and in the context of sex discrimination, in access to goods and services. Although the current proposal does not cover employment, there will be differences of treatment in the areas mentioned in Article 3 that should be allowed. However, as exceptions to the general principle of equality should be narrowly drawn, the double test of a justified aim and proportionate way of reaching it (i.e. in the least discriminatory way possible) is required.

Ċaħda ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli hija kkunsidrata bħala forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni. Din hija skond il-Konvenzjoni tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti dwar id-drittijiet tal-persuni b’diżabilitajiet u koerenti tad-Direttiva 2000/78/KE. Ċertu differenzi ta’ trattament ibbażati fuq l-età jistgħu jkunu legali, jekk ikunu ġustifikati minn għan leġittimu u l-mezz li bih jintlaħaq dak l-għan huwa approprjat u neċessarju (test ta’ proporzjonalità).

A special rule is added for insurance and banking services, in recognition of the fact that age and disability can be an essential element of the assessment of risk for certain products, and therefore of price. If insurers are not allowed to take age and disability into account at all, the additional costs will have to be entirely borne by the rest of the "pool" of those insured, which would result in higher overall costs and lower availability of cover for consumers. The use of age and disability in the assessment of risk must be based on accurate data and statistics.

Fid-direttivi ta’ l-Artikolu 13 eżistenti eċċezzjonijiet għall-projbizzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni diretta kienu permessi għal “rekwiżiti professjonali ġenwini u determinanti”, għal differenzi ta’ trattament sakond l-età, u fil-kuntest ta’ diskriminazzjoni sesswali, b’aċċess għal provvisti u servizzi. Għalkemm din il-proposta ma tkoprix impjieg, għandu jkun hemm differenzi ta’ trattament fl-oqsma msemmija fl-Artikolu 3 li għandhom ikunu permessi. Madankollu, kif eċċezzjonijiet għall-prinċipju ġenerali ta’ ugwaljanza għandhom ikunu stabbiliti b’mod ristrett, it-test doppju ta’ għan ġustifikat u mod proporzjonali kif jintlaħaq (jiġifieri bl-inqas mod diskriminatorju possibbli) huwa meħtieġ.

The directive does not affect national measures based on public security, public order, the prevention of criminal offences, the protection of health and the rights and freedoms of others.

Regola speċjali hija miżjuda għal servizzi ta’ assigurazzjoni u dawk bankarji, fir-rikonoxximent tal-fatt li età u diżabilità jistgħu jkunu element essenzjali ta’ l-evalwazzjoni ta’ riskju għal ċerti prodotti, u għalhekk ta’ prezz. Jekk assiguranti ma għandhomx permess li jikkunsidraw età u diżabilità, l-ispejjeż addizzjonali ikollhom ikunu mħallsa mill-bqija tan-nies assigurati, li jirriżultaw fi spejjeż ogħla ġeneralment u inqas disponibbiltà ta’ kopertura għall-klijenti. L-użu ta’ età u diżabilità fl-evalwazzjoni ta’ riskju għandu jkun ibbażat fuq dejta u statistiċi preċiżi.

Article 3: Scope

Id-direttiva ma taffettwax miżuri nazzjonali bbażati fuq sigurtà pubblika, ordni pubblika, il-prevenzjoni ta’ offiżi kriminali, il-protezzjoni tas-saħħa u d-drittijiet u libertajiet ta’ oħrajn.

Discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation is prohibited by both the public and private sector in:

Arti kolu 3: Skop

- social protection, including social security and health care;

Dis kriminazzjoni bbażata fuq reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali hija projbita kemm mis-settur pubbliku kif ukoll dak privat fi:

- social advantages;

- protezzjoni soċjali, inkluż sigurtà soċjali u protezzjoni tas-saħħa;

- education;

- vantaġġi soċjali;

- access to and supply of goods and services which are available to the public, including housing.

- edukazzjoni;

In terms of access to goods and services, only professional or commercial activities are covered. In other words, transactions between private individuals acting in a private capacity will not be covered: letting a room in a private house does not need to be treated in the same way as letting rooms in a hotel. The areas are covered only to the extent that the subject matter falls within the competences of the Community. Thus, for example, the organisation of the school system, activities and the content of education courses, including how to organise education for persons with disabilities, is a matter for the Member States, and they may provide for differences in treatment in access to religious educational institutions. For example, a school could arrange a special presentation just for children of a certain age, while a faith based school would be allowed to arrange school trips with a religious theme.

- aċċess għal u provvista ta’ oġġetti u servizzi li huma disponibbli għall-pubbliku, inkluż akkomodazzjoni.

The text makes it clear that matters related to marital and family status, which includes adoption, are outside the scope of the directive. This includes reproductive rights. Member States remain free to decide whether or not to institute and recognise legally registered partnerships. However once national law recognises such relationships as comparable to that of spouses then the principle of equal treatment applies[21].

Fit-termini ta’ aċċess għal provvisti u servizzi, attivitajiet professjonali jew kummerċjali biss huma koperti. Fi kliem ieħor, tranżazzjonijiet bejn individwi privati li jaġixxu f’kapaċità privata ma jkunux koperti: kirja ta’ kamra ġo dar privata mhemmx għalfejn tkun trattata bl-istess mod bħall-kiri ta’ kmamar ġo lukandi. L-oqsma huma koperti biss sal-miżura li s-suġġett jaqa’ fil-kompetenzi tal-Komunità. Għalhekk, per eżempju, l-organizzazzjoni tas-sistema ta’ l-iskola, l-attivitajiet u l-kontenut ta’ korsijiet ta’ edukazzjoni, inkluż kif tiġi organizzata edukazzjoni għal persuni bi bżonnijiet speċjali, hija affari ta’ l-Istati Membri, u li huma jistgħu jipprovdu għal differenzi fit-trattament ta’ aċċess għal istituzzjonijiet edukattivi reliġjużi. Per eżempju, skola tista’ tirranġa preżentazzjoni speċjali għal tfal ta’ ċerta età biss, filwaqt li skola bbażata fuq il-fidi titħalla tirranġa ħarġiet ta’ l-iskola b’tema reliġjuża.

Article 3 specifies that the directive does not cover national laws relating to the secular nature of the State and its institutions, nor to the status of religious organisations. Member States may thus allow or prohibit the wearing of religious symbols in schools. Differences in treatment based on nationality are also not covered.

It-test jagħmilha ċara li suġġetti li jirrigwardaw l-istat ċivili u familjari, li tinkludi adozzjoni, huma barra mill-iskop tad-direttiva. Din tinkludi drittijiet riproduttivi. L-Istati Membri jibqgħu ħielsa li jiddeċiedu jekk jistabbilixxux u jirrikonoxxux sħubiji reġistrati legalment jew le. Madankollu, ladarba l-liġi nazzjonali tirrikonoxxi dawn ir-relazzjonijiet bħala kumparabbli ma’ dawk ta’ miżżewġin allura japplika l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali[21].

Article 4: Equal treatment of persons with disabilities

L-Artikolu 3 jispeċifika li d-direttiva ma tkoprix liġijiet nazzjonali li jirrigwardaw in-natura sekulari ta’ l-Istat u l-istituzzjonijiet tiegħu, u lanqas dawk li jirrigwardaw is-sitwazzjoni ta’ organizzazzjonijiet reliġjużi. L-Istati Membri jistgħu għalhekk jippermettu jew jipprojbixxu l-ilbies ta’ simboli reliġjużi fl-iskejjel. Differenzi fi trattament ibbażati fuq nazzjonalità ukoll mhumiex koperti.

Effective access for disabled people to social protection, social advantages, health care, education and access to and supply of goods and services which are available to the public, including housing, shall be provided by anticipation. This obligation is limited by the defence that if this would impose a disproportionate burden or would require major changes to the product or service, it does not need to be done.

Artikolu 4: Trattament ugwali ta’ persuni b’diżabilitajiet

In some cases individual measures of reasonable accommodation may be necessary to ensure effective access for a particular disabled person. As above, this is only the case if it would not impose a disproportionate burden. A non-exhaustive list is given of factors that could be taken into account in assessing whether the burden is disproportionate, thus allowing the specific situation of small and medium sized, and micro enterprises, to be taken into account.

Aċċess effettiv għal persuni b’diżabilità għal protezzjoni soċjali, vantaġġi soċjali, protezzjoni tas-saħħa, edukazzjoni u aċċess għal u l-provvista ta’ merkanzija li huma disponibbli għall-pubbliku, inkluż akkomodazzjoni, għandhom ikunu provduti bil-quddiem. Din l-obbligazzjoni hija limitata mid-difiża li jekk dan jimponi piż sproporzjonat jew jirrikjedi bidliet kbar fuq il-merkanzija, mhemm għalfejn tkun imwettqa.

The concept of reasonable accommodation already exists in the employment sphere under Directive 2000/78/EC, and Member States and businesses therefore have experience in applying it. What might be appropriate for a large corporation or public body may not be for a small or medium-sized company. The requirement to make reasonable accommodation does not only imply making physical changes but may entail an alternative means of providing a service.

F’xi każijiet miżuri individwali ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli jistgħu jkunu neċessarji sabiex jiżguraw aċċess effettiv għal persuna partikolari b’diżabilità. Kif imsemmi hawn fuq, dan huwa l-każ biss jekk ma jimponix piż sproporzjonat. Lista mhux eżawrjenti hija mogħtija tal-fatti li jistgħu jitqiesu fl-evalwazzjoni ta’ jekk piż huwiex sproporzjonat, u b’hekk tista' titqies is-sitwazzjoni ta' intrapriżi żgħar u ta' daqs medju u mikro-intrapriżi.

Article 5: Positive action

Il-kunċett ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli diġà jeżisti fl-isfera ta’ l-impjieg skond id-Direttiva 2000/78/KE, u Stati Membri u negozji għalhekk għandhom esperjenza fl-applikazzjoni tagħha. Li jista’ jkun approprjat għal korporazzjoni kbira jew korp pubbliku jista’ ma jkunx għal kumpanija żgħira jew waħda ta’ daqs medju. Ir-rekwiżit li ssir akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli ma jimplikax biss li jsiru bidliet fiżiċi iżda jista’ jinvolvi mezz alternattiv ta’ provvista ta’ servizz.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. It is clear that in many cases, formal equality does not lead to equality in practice. It may be necessary to put in place specific measures to prevent and correct situations of inequality. The Member States have different traditions and practices regarding positive action, and this article lets Member States provide for positive action but does not make this an obligation.

Artikolu 5: Azzjoni pożittiva

Article 6: Minimum requirements

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Huwa ċar li f’ħafna każijiet, ugwaljanza formali ma twassalx għal ugwaljanza fil-prattika. Jista’ jkun neċessarju li jkunu stabbiliti miżuri speċifiċi sabiex jipprevjenu u jikkoreġu sitwazzjonijiet ta’ nuqqas ta’ ugwaljanza. L-Istati Membri għandhom tradizzjonijiet u prattiċi differenti rigward azzjoni pożittiva, u dan l-artikolu jippermetti li l-Istati Membri jipprovdu azzjoni pożittiva iżda mhux bħala obbligu.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. It allows Member States to provide a higher level of protection than that guaranteed by the Directive, and confirms that there should be no lowering of the level of protection against discrimination already afforded by Member States when implementing the Directive.

Arti kolu 6: Rekwiżiti minimi

Article 7: Defence of rights

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Hija tippermetti li Stati Membri jipprovdu livell ogħla ta’ protezzjoni minn dak garantit mid-Direttiva, u tikkonferma li ma għandux ikun hemm tnaqqis fil-livell ta’ protezzjoni kontra diskriminazzjoni diġà mogħtija minn Stati Membri meta jimplimentaw id-Direttiva.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. People should be able to enforce their right to non-discrimination. This article therefore provides that people who believe that they have been the victim of discrimination should be able to use administrative or judicial procedures, even after the relationship in which the discrimination is alleged to have taken place has ended, in accordance with the ruling of the European Court of Justice in the Coote[22] case.

Arti kolu 7: Difiża ta’ drittijiet

The right to effective legal protection is strengthened by allowing organisations, which have a legitimate interest in the fight against discrimination, to help victims of discrimination in judicial or administrative procedures. National rules on time limits for initiating actions are unaffected by this provision.

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. In-nies għandhom ikunu jistgħu jinfurzaw id-dritt tagħhom għal nuqqas ta’ diskriminazzjoni. Dan l-artikolu għalhekk jistabbilixxi li nies li jħossuhom li kienu vittmi ta’ diskriminazzjoni għandhom ikunu jistgħu jużaw proċeduri amministrattivi u ġudizzjarji, anki wara r-relazzjoni li fiha d-diskriminazzjoni hija allegata li seħħet spiċċat skond sentenza tal-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja Ewropea fil-kawża Coote[22].

Article 8: Burden of proof

Id-dritt għal protezzjoni legali effettiva hija msaħħa billi jingħata permess lil organizzazzjonijiet, li għandhom interess leġittimu fil-ġlieda kontra diskriminazzjoni, sabiex jgħinu vittmi ta’ diskriminazzjoni fi proċeduri ġudizzjarji jew amministrattivi. Regoli nazzjonali dwar limiti ta’ żmien għall-bidu ta’ azzjonijiet mhumiex affettwati minn din id-dispożizzjoni.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. In judicial procedures, the general rule is that a person who alleges something must prove it. However, in discrimination cases, it is often extremely difficult to obtain the evidence necessary to prove the case, as it is often in the hands of the respondent. This problem was recognised by the European Court of Justice[23] and the Community legislator in Directive 97/80/EC[24].

Arti kolu 8: Oneru tal-prova

The shift of the burden of proof applies to all cases alleging breach of the principle of equal treatment, including those involving associations and organisations under Article 7(2). As in the earlier directives, this shift in the burden of proof does not apply to situations where the criminal law is used to prosecute allegations of discrimination.

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi ta’ l-Artikolu 13 kollha. Fi proċeduri ġudizzjarji, ir-regola ġenerali hija li persuna li tallega xi ħaġa għandha tagħti prova tagħha. Madankollu, f’każijiet ta’ diskriminazzjoni, ħafna drabi huwa estremament diffiċli li tinkiseb evidenza neċessarja sabiex tingħata prova tal-każ, peress li ħafna drabi din hija f’idejn il-konvenut. Din il-problema kienet rikonoxxuta mill-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja Ewropea[23] u l-leġiżlatur Komunitarju fid-Direttiva 97/80/KE[24].

Article 9: Victimisation

Il-bidla ta’ l-oneru tal-prova tapplika għall-każijiet kollha li jallegaw ksur tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali, inkluż dawk li jinvolvu assoċjazzjonijiet u organizzazzjonijiet skond l-Artikolu 7(2). Bħal fid-direttivi ta’ qabel, din il-bidla fl-oneru tal-prova ma tapplikax għal sitwazzjonijiet fejn il-liġi kriminali hija użata sabiex tagħmel prosekuzzjoni ta’ allegazzjonijiet ta’ diskriminazzjoni.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. Effective legal protection must include protection against retaliation. Victims may be deterred from exercising their rights due to the risk of retaliation, and it is therefore necessary to protect individuals against any adverse treatment due to the exercise of the rights conferred by the Directive. This article is the same as in Directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC.

Arti kolu 9: Vittimizzazzjoni

Article 10: Dissemination of information

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Protezzjoni legali effettiva għandha tinkludi protezzjoni kontra ritaljazzjoni. Vittmi jistgħu jkunu ostakolati milli jużaw id-drittijiet tagħhom minħabba r-riskju ta’ ritaljazzjoni, u għalhekk huwa neċessarju li l-individwi jkunu protetti kontra kwalunkwe trattament negattiv minħabba l-eżerċizzju tad-drittijiet mogħtija mid-Direttiva. Dan l-artikolu huwa l-istess bħal fid-Direttivi 2000/43/KE u 2000/78/KE.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. Experience and polls show that individuals are badly or insufficiently informed of their rights. The more effective the system of public information and prevention is, the less need there will be for individual remedies. This replicates equivalent provisions in Directives 2000/43/EC, 2000/78/EC and 2002/113/EC.

Arti kolu 10: Disseminazzjoni ta’ informazzjoni

Article 11: Dialogue with relevant stakeholders

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Esperjenza u sondaġġi juru li l-individwi mhumiex infurmati sew jew mhumiex infurmati biżżejjed dwar id-drittijiet tagħhom. Iktar ma tkun effettiva s-sistema ta’ informazzjoni pubblika u prevenzjoni, inqas ikun hemm bżonn għal rimedji individwali. Dan huwa replikat b’dispożizzjonijiet ekwivalenti fid-Direttivi 2000/43/KE, 2000/78/KE u 2002/113/KE.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. It aims to promote dialogue between relevant public authorities and bodies such as non-governmental organisations which have a legitimate interest in contributing to the fight against discrimination on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. A similar provision is contained in the previous anti-discrimination directives.

Arti kolu 11: Djalogu ma’ partijiet interessati rilevanti

Article 12: Bodies for the promotion of equal treatment

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Hija timmira sabiex tippromwovi djalogu bejn l-awtoritajiet u l-korpi pubbliċi rilevanti bħal organizzazzjonijiet mhux governattivi li għandhom interess leġittimu fil-kontribuzzjoni għall-ġlieda kontra diskriminazzjoni għal ragunijiet ta’ reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali. Dispożizzjoni simili hija inkluża fid-direttivi ta’ kontra d-diskriminazzjoni preċedenti.

This provision is common to two Article 13 directives. This article requires the Member States to have a body or bodies ("Equality Body") at national level to promote equal treatment of all persons without discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Arti kolu 12: Korpi għall-promozzjoni ta’ trattament ugwali

It replicates the provisions of Directive 2000/43/EC in as far as they deal with access to and supply of goods and services, and builds on equivalent provisions in Directives 2002/73/EC[25] and 2004/113/EC. It sets out minimum competences applicable to bodies at national level which should act independently to promote the principle of equal treatment. Member States may decide that these bodies be the same as those already established under the previous directives.

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għal żewġ direttivi ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Dan l-artikolu jirrikjedi li l-Istati Membri jkollhom korp jew korpi (“Korp ta’ Ugwaljanza”) fuq livell nazzjonali sabiex jippromwovi t-trattament ugwali tal-persuni kollha mingħajr diskriminazzjoni għal raġunijiet ta’ reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali.

It is both difficult and expensive for individuals to mount a legal challenge if they think they have been discriminated against. A key role of the Equality Bodies is to give independent help to victims of discrimination. They must also be able to conduct independent surveys on discrimination and to publish reports and recommendations on issues relating to discrimination.

Hija tirreplika d-dispożizzjonijiet tad-Direttiva 2000/43/KE safejn jitkellmu dwar aċċess għal u provvista ta’ oġġetti u servizzi, u tibni fuq dispożizzjonijiet ekwivalenti fid-Direttivi 2002/73/KE[25] u 2004/113/KE. Hija tistabbilixxi kompetenzi minimi applikabbli ghal korpi fuq livell nazzjonali li għandhom jaġixxu indipendentement biex jippromwovu l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali. L-Istati Membri jistgħu jiddeċiedu li dawn il-korpi jkunu l-istess bħal dawk diġà stabbiliti skond id-direttivi preċedenti.

Article 13: Compliance

Huwa diffiċli kif ukoll jiswa l-flus biex individwi joħolqu każ legali jekk jaħsbu li kien hemm diskriminazzjoni kontrihom. Rwol ewlieni tal-Korpi ta’ Ugwaljanza huwa li jagħtu għajnuna indipendenti lil vittmi ta’ diskriminazzjoni. Huma għandhom ikunu jistgħu jwettqu wkoll sondaġġi indipendenti dwar diskriminazzjoni u jippubblikaw rapporti u rakkomandazzjonijiet dwar argumenti li jirrigwardaw id-diskriminazzjoni.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. Equal treatment involves the elimination of discrimination arising from any laws, regulations or administrative provision and the directive therefore requires the Member States to abolish any such provisions. As with earlier legislation, the directive also requires that any provisions contrary to the principle of equal treatment must be rendered null and void or amended, or must be capable of being so rendered if they are challenged.

Arti kolu 13: Osservanza

Article 14: Sanctions

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Trattament ugwali jinvolvi l-eliminazzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni li tirriżulta minn kwalunkwe liġijiet, regolamenti jew dispożizzjonijiet amministrattivi u d-direttiva għalhekk tirrikjedi li l-Istati Membri jħassru dawn id-dispożizzjonijiet. Bħal f’leġiżlazzjoni preċedenti, id-direttiva tirrikjedi wkoll li kwalunkwe dispożizzjonijiet li jmorru kontra l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali għandhom ikunu annullati jew emendati, jew għandhom ikunu jista’ jsiru hekk jekk ikunu kontestati.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. In accordance with the case law of the Court of Justice[26], the text provides that that there should be no upper limit on the compensation payable in cases of breach of the principle of equal treatment. This provision does not require criminal sanctions to be introduced.

Arti kolu 14: Sanzjonijiet

Article 15: Implementation

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Skond il-ġurisprudenza tal-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja[26], it-test jipprovdi li ma għandu jkun hemm ebda limitu fuq il-kumpens li għandu jitħallas f’każijiet ta’ ksur tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali. Din id-dispożizzjoni ma tirrikjedix li jkunu introdotti sanzjonijiet kriminali.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. It gives the Member States a period of two years to transpose the directive into national law and to communicate to the Commission the texts of the national law. Member States may provide that the obligation to ensure effective access for disabled persons only applies four years after the adoption of the Directive.

Arti kolu 15: Implimentazzjoni

Article 16: Report

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Hija tagħti lill-Istati Membri perjodu ta’ sentejn sabiex jittrasponu d-direttiva f’liġi nazzjonali u biex jinnotifikaw lill-Kummissjoni t-test tal-liġi nazzjonali. L-Istati Membri jistgħu jipprovdu li l-obbligazzjoni biex jiżguraw aċċess effettiv għal persuni b’diżabilità tapplika biss erba’ snin wara l-adozzjoni tad-Direttiva.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. It requires the Commission to report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the Directive, on the basis of information from Member States. The report will take account of the views of the social partners, relevant NGOs and the EU Fundamental Rights Agency.

Artikolu 16: Rapport

Article 17: Entry into force

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Hija tirrikjedi li l-Kummissjoni tirrapporta lill-Parlament Ewropew u lill-Kunsill rigward l-applikazzjoni tad-Direttiva, fuq il-bażi ta’ informazzjoni minn Stati Membri. Ir-rapport se jikkunsidra l-opinjonijiet ta’ l-imsieħba soċjali, NGOs rilevanti u l-Aġenzija ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives. The Directive will enter into force on the day it is published in the Official Journal.

Artikolu 17: Dħul fis-seħħ

Article 18: Addressees

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13. Id-Direttiva għandha tidħol fis-seħħ fil-ġurnata li tkun ippubblikata fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali.

This provision is common to all Article 13 directives, making it clear that the Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Artikolu 18: Indirizzati

2008/0140 (CNS)

Din id-dispożizzjoni hija komuni għad-direttivi kollha ta’ l-Artikolu 13, u tagħmilha ċara li d-Direttiva tindirizza l-Istati Membri.

Proposal for a

2008/0140 (CNS)

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE

Proposta għal

on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation

DIRETTIVA TAL-KUNSILL

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

dwar l-implimentazzjoni tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali bejn il-persuni irrispettivament mir-reliġjon jew it-twemmin, id-diżabilità, l-età jew l-orjentazzjoni sesswali

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 13(1) thereof,

IL-KUNSILL TA’ L-UNJONI EWROPEA,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission[27],

Wara li kkunsidra t-Trattat li jistabbilixxi l-Komunità Ewropea, u b’mod partikolari l-Artikolu 13(1) tiegħu,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament[28],

Wara li kkunsidra l-proposta mill-Kummissjoni[27],

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee[29],

Wara li kkunsidra l-opinjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew[28],

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions[30],

Wara li kkunsidra l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat Ekonomiku u Soċjali Ewropew[29],

Whereas:

Wara li kkunsidra l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat tar-Reġjuni[30],

1. In accordance with Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, the European Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to all Member States and it respects fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and as they result from the constitutional traditions common to the Member States, as general principles of Community law.

Billi:

2. The right to equality before the law and protection against discrimination for all persons constitutes a universal right recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the European Social Charter, to which [all] Member States are signatories. In particular, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities includes the denial of reasonable accommodation in its definition of discrimination.

1. Skond l-Artikolu 6 tat-Trattat dwar l-Unjoni Ewropea, l-Unjoni Ewropea hija bbażata fuq il-prinċipji ta’ libertà, demokrazija, rispett għal drittijiet umani u libertajiet fundamentali, u l-istat tad-dritt, prinċipji li huma komuni għall-Istati Membri kollha u tirrispetta drittijiet fundamentali, kif garantiti mill-Konvenzjoni Ewropea għall-Protezzjoni tad-Drittijiet Umani u Libertajiet Fundamentali u kif jirriżultaw mit-tradizzjonijiet kostituzzjonali komuni għall-Istati Membri, bħala prinċipji ġenerali tal-liġi Komunitarja.

3. This Directive respects the fundamental rights and observes the fundamental principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Article 10 of the Charter recognises the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; Article 21 prohibits discrimination, including on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; and Article 26 acknowledges the right of persons with disabilities to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence.

2. Id-dritt għal ugwaljanza quddiem il-liġi u protezzjoni kontra diskriminazzjoni għall-persuni kollha jikkostitwixxi dritt universali rikonoxxut mid-Dikjarazzjoni Universali tad-Drittijiet Umani, il-Konvenzjoni tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti dwar l-Eliminazzjoni tal-forom kollha ta’ Diskriminazzjoni Kontra n-Nisa, il-Konvenzjoni Internazzjonali dwar l-Eliminazzjoni tal-forom kollha ta’ Diskriminazzjoni Razzjali, il-Ftehim tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti dwar Drittijiet Ċivili u Politiċi u dwar Drittijiet Ekonomiċi, Soċjali u Kulturali, il-Konvenzjoni tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti dwar Persuni b’Diżabilitajiet, il-Konvenzjoni Ewropea dwar il-Protezzjoni tad-Drittijiet Umani u Libertajiet Fundamentali u l-Karta Soċjali Ewropea, li għalihom l-Istati Membri [kollha] huma firmatarji. B’mod partikolari, il-Konvenzjoni tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti dwar id-Drittijiet ta’ Persuni b’Diżabilitajiet tinkludi ċ-caħda ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli fid-definizzjoni tagħha ta’ diskriminazzjoni.

4. The European Years of Persons with Disabilities in 2003, of Equal Opportunities for All in 2007, and of Intercultural Dialogue in 2008 have highlighted the persistence of discrimination but also the benefits of diversity.

3. Din id-Direttiva tirrispetta d-drittijiet fundamentali u tosserva l-prinċipji fundamentali rikonoxxuti b’mod partikolari mill-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea. L-Artikolu 10 tal-Karta jirrikonoxxi d-dritt għal libertà tal-ħsieb, kuxjenza u reliġjon; l-Artikolu 21 jipprojbixxi diskriminazzjoni, inkluż għal raġunijiet ta’ reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali; u l-Artikolu 26 jirrikonoxxi d-dritt ta’ persuni b’diżabilitajiet li jibbenefikaw mill-miżuri maħsuba sabiex jiżguraw l-indipendenza tagħhom.

5. The European Council, in Brussels on 14 December 2007, invited Member States to strengthen efforts to prevent and combat discrimination inside and outside the labour market[31].

4. Is-Snin Ewropej tal-Persuni b’Diżabilitajiet fl-2003, ta’ Opportunitajiet Ugwali għal Kulħadd fl-2007, u tad-Djalogu Interkulturali fl-2008 enfasizzaw il-persistenza ta’ diskriminazzjoni iżda wkoll il-benefiċċji ta’ diversità.

6. The European Parliament has called for the extension of the protection of discrimination in European Union law[32].

5. Il-Kunsill Ewropew, fi Brussell fl-14 ta’ Diċembru 2007, stieden lill-Istati Membri biex isaħħu l-isforzi sabiex jipprevjenu u jiġġieldu d-diskriminazzjoni ġewwa u barra s-suq tax-xogħol[31].

7. The European Commission has affirmed in its Communication ‘Renewed social agenda: Opportunities, access and solidarity in 21st century Europe’[33] that, in societies where each individual is regarded as being of equal worth, no artificial barriers or discrimination of any kind should hold people back in exploiting these opportunities.

6. Il-Parlament Ewropew sejjaħ għall-estensjoni tal-protezzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni fil-liġi ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea.[32]

8. The Community has adopted three legal instruments[34] on the basis of article 13(1) of the EC Treaty to prevent and combat discrimination on grounds of sex, racial and ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. These instruments have demonstrated the value of legislation in the fight against discrimination . In particular, Directive 2000/78/EC establishes a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. However, variations remain between Member States on the degree and the form of protection from discrimination on these grounds beyond the areas of employment.

7. Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea affermat fil-Komunikazzjoni tagħha “Aġenda soċjali mġedda: Opportunitajiet, aċċess u solidarjetà fl-Ewropa tas-seklu 21”[33] li, f’soċjetajiet fejn kull individwu jitqies li hu ta’ valur ugwali, l-ebda ostaklu artifiċjali jew diskriminazzjoni ta’ kwalunkwe tip ma għandha żżomm lin-nies lura milli jisfruttaw dawn l-opportunitajiet.

9. Therefore, legislation should prohibit discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in a range of areas outside the labour market, including social protection, education and access to and supply of goods and services, including housing. It should provide for measures to ensure the equal access of persons with disabilities to the areas covered.

8. Il-Komunità adottat tliet strumenti legali[34] fuq il-bażi ta’ l-Artikolu 13(1) tat-Trattat tal-KE sabiex tipprevjeni u tiġġieled id-diskriminazzjoni għal raġunijiet ta’ sess, oriġini razjali u etnika, reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali. Dawn l-istrumenti wrew il-valur tal-leġiżlazzjoni fil-ġlieda kontra d-diskriminazzjoni. B’mod partikolari, d-Direttiva 2000/78/KE tistabbilixxi qafas ġenerali għal trattament ugwali fl-impjieg u fix-xogħol għal raġunijiet ta’ reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età u orjentazzjoni sesswali. Madankollu, jibqgħu varjazzjonijiet bejn Stati Membri fuq il-livell u l-forma ta’ protezzjoni minn diskriminazzjoni għal dawn ir-raġunijiet lil hinn mill-oqsma ta’ l-impjieg.

10. Directive 2000/78/EC prohibits discrimination in access to vocational training; it is necessary to complete this protection by extending the prohibition of discrimination to education which is not considered vocational training.

9. Għaldaqstant, il-leġiżlazzjoni għandha tipprjobixxi diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali fi sfera ta’ oqsma barra s-suq tax-xogħol, inkluż protezzjoni soċjali, edukazzjoni u aċċess għal u provvista ta’ oġġetti u servizzi, inkluż akkomodazzjoni. Għandha tipprovdi għal miżuri sabiex tiżgura l-aċċess ugwali ta’ persuni b’diżabilitajiet għall-oqsma koperti.

11. This Directive should be without prejudice to the competences of the Member States in the areas of education, social security and health care. It should also be without prejudice to the essential role and wide discretion of the Member States in providing, commissioning and organising services of general economic interest.

10. Id-Direttiva 2000/78/KE tipprojbixxi d-diskriminazzjoni fl-aċċess għal taħriġ vokazzjonali; jeħtieġ li din il-protezzjoni tkun kompletata billi tiġi estiża l-projbizzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni għall-edukazzjoni li mhijiex meqjusa taħriġ vokazzjonali.

12. Discrimination is understood to include direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, instructions to discriminate and denial of reasonable accommodation.

11. Din id-Direttiva għandha tkun bla ħsara għall-kompetenza ta’ l-Istati Membri fl-oqsma ta’ edukazzjoni, sigurtà soċjali u protezzjoni tas-saħħa. Din għandha tkun ukoll bla ħsara għar-rwol essenzjali u diskrezzjoni wiesgħa ta’ l-Istati Membri fil-provvista, kummissjoni u organizzazzjoni ta’ servizzi ta’ interess ekonomiku ġenerali.

13. In implementing the principle of equal treatment irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, the Community should, in accordance with Article 3(2) of the EC Treaty, aim to eliminate inequalities, and to promote equality between men and women, especially since women are often the victims of multiple discrimination.

12. B’diskriminazzjoni huwa mifhum li tinkludi diskriminazzjoni diretta u indiretta, fastidju, istruzzjonijiet għal diskriminazzjoni u ċ-ċaħda ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli.

14. The appreciation of the facts from which it may be presumed that there has been direct or indirect discrimination should remain a matter for the national judicial or other competent bodies in accordance with rules of national law or practice. Such rules may provide, in particular, for indirect discrimination to be established by any means including on the basis of statistical evidence.

13. Fl-implimentazzjoni tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali irrispettivament mir-reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali, il-Komunità għandha, skond l-Artikolu 3(2) tat-Trattat KE, timmira sabiex telimina inugwaljanzi, u li tippromwovi ugwaljanza bejn irġiel u nisa, speċjalment peress li n-nisa huma ħafna drabi l-vittmi ta’ diskriminazzjoni multipla.

15. Actuarial and risk factors related to disability and to age are used in the provision of insurance, banking and other financial services. These should not be regarded as constituting discrimination where the factors are shown to be key factors for the assessment of risk.

14. L-apprezzament tal-fatti li minnhom jista’ jkun preżunt li kien hemm diskriminazzjoni diretta jew indiretta għandu jibqa’ f’idejn il-korpi nazzjonali ġudizzjali jew korpi kompetenti oħra skond ir-regoli tal-liġi jew prattika nazzjonali. Dawn ir-regoli jistgħu jipprovdu, b’mod partikolari, għal diskriminazzjoni indiretta li għandha tkun stabbilita bi kwalunkwe mezz inkluż fuq il-bażi ta’ evidenza statistika.

16. All individuals enjoy the freedom to contract, including the freedom to choose a contractual partner for a transaction. This Directive should not apply to economic transactions undertaken by individuals for whom these transactions do not constitute their professional or commercial activity.

15. Il-fatturi attwarjali u ta’ riskju li għandhom x’jaqsmu ma’ diżabilità u età jintużaw fl-għoti ta’ assigurazzjoni, servizzi bankarji u servizzi finanzjarji oħra. Dawn ma għandhomx jitqiesu li jikkostitwixxu diskriminazzjoni fejn il-fatturi jkunu jidhru li huma fatturi ewlenin għall-evalwazzjoni tar-riskju.

17. While prohibiting discrimination, it is important to respect other fundamental rights and freedoms, including the protection of private and family life and transactions carried out in that context, the freedom of religion, and the freedom of association. This Directive is without prejudice to national laws on marital or family status, including on reproductive rights. It is also without prejudice to the secular nature of the State, state institutions or bodies, or education.

16. L-individwi kollha jgawdu l-libertà li jikkuntrattaw, inkluż il-libertà li jagħżlu sieħeb kuntrattwali għal tranżazzjoni. Din id-Direttiva ma għandhiex tapplika għal tranżazzjonijiet ekonomiċi magħmula minn individwi li għalihom dawn it-tranżazzjonijiet ma jikkostitwixxux l-attività professjonali jew kummerċjali tagħhom.

18. Member States are responsible for the organisation and content of education. The Commission Communication on Competences for the 21st Century: An Agenda for European Cooperation on Schools draws attention to the need for special attention to be paid to disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs. In particular national law may provide for differences in access to educational institutions based on religion or belief. . Member States may also allow or prohibit the wearing or display of religious symbols at school.

17. Filwaqt li jipprojbixxu diskriminazzjoni, huwa importanti li jkunu rispettati drittijiet u libertajiet fundamentali oħrajn, inkluż il-protezzjoni tal-ħajja privata u familjari u tranżazzjonijiet imwettqa f’dak il-kuntest, il-libertà ta’ reliġjon, u l-libertà ta’ assoċjazzjoni. Din id-Direttiva hi bla ħsara għal liġijiet nazzjonali dwar l-istat ċivili jew familjari, inkluż fuq drittijiet riproduttivi. Hija wkoll bla ħsara għan-natura sekulari ta’ l-Istat, l-istituzzjonijiet jew il-korpi ta' l-istat, jew l-edukazzjoni.

19. The European Union in its Declaration No 11 on the status of churches and non-confessional organisations, annexed to the Final Act of the Amsterdam Treaty, has explicitly recognised that it respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the Member States and that it equally respects the status of philosophical and non-confessional organisations. Measures to enable persons with disabilities to have effective non-discriminatory access to the areas covered by this Directive play an important part in ensuring full equality in practice. Furthermore, individual measures of reasonable accommodation may be required in some cases to ensure such access. In neither case are measures required that would impose a disproportionate burden. In assessing whether the burden is disproportionate, account should be taken of a number of factors including the size, resources and nature of the organisation. The principle of reasonable accommodation and disproportionate burden are established in Directive 2000/78/EC and the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

18. L-Istati Membri huma responsabbli għall-organizzazzjoni u l-kontenut ta’ l-edukazzjoni. Il-Komunikazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni dwar il-Kompetenzi għas-Seklu 21: Aġenda għal Kooperazzjoni Ewropea dwar l-Iskejjel tisħaq fuq il-ħtieġa ta’ attenzjoni speċjali li trid tingħata lil tfal żvantaġġati u dawk bi bżonnijiet edukattivi speċjali. B’mod partikolari l-liġi nazzjonali tista’ tipprovdi għad-differenzi fl-aċċess għal istituzzjonijiet edukattivi bbażati fuq ir-reliġjon jew it-twemmin. L-Istati Membri jistgħu wkoll jippermettu jew jipprojbixxu l-ilbies jew il-wiri ta’ simboli reliġjużi fl-iskola.

20. Legal requirements[35] and standards on accessibility have been established at European level in some areas while Article 16 of Council Regulation 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999[36] requires that accessibility for disabled persons is one of the criteria to be observed in defining operations co-financed by the Funds. The Council has also emphasised the need for measures to secure the accessibility of cultural infrastructure and cultural activities for people with disabilities[37].

19. L-Unjoni Ewropea fid-Dikjarazzjoni tagħha Nru 11 dwar is-sitwazzjoni ta’ knejjes u organizzazzjonijiet mhux konfessjonali, annessi ma’ l-Att Finali tat-Trattat ta’ Amsterdam, espressament irrikonoxxiet li tirrispetta u ma tippreġudikax is-sitwazzjoni skond liġi nazzjonali ta’ knejjes u assoċjazzjonijiet jew komunitajiet reliġjużi fl-Istati Membri u li ugwalment tirrispetta s-sitwazzjoni ta’ organizzazzjonijiet filosofiċi u mhux konfessjonali. Miżuri li jippermettu li persuni b’diżabilitajiet ikollhom aċċess effettiv mhux diskriminatorju għal oqsma koperti minn din id-Direttiva għandhom rwol importanti fl-assigurazzjoni ta’ ugwaljanza totali fil-prattika. Barra minn hekk, miżuri individwali ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli jistgħu jkunu meħtieġa f’xi każijiet sabiex jiżguraw dan l-aċċess. Meta jiġi evalwat jekk il-piż huwiex sproporzjonat, għandhom jitqiesu għadd ta’ fatturi inklużi d-daqs, ir-riżorsi u n-natura ta’ l-organizzazzjoni. Il-prinċipju ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli u ta’ piż sproporzjonat huma stabbiliti fid-Direttiva 2000/78/KE u l-Konvenzjoni tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti dwar id-Drittijiet ta’ Persuni b’Diżabilitajiet.

21. The prohibition of discrimination should be without prejudice to the maintenance or adoption by Member States of measures intended to prevent or compensate for disadvantages suffered by a group of persons of a particular religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Such measures may permit organisations of persons of a particular religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation where their main object is the promotion of the special needs of those persons.

20. Rekwiżiti[35] u standards legali dwar aċċessibilità kienu stabbiliti fuq livell Ewropew f’xi oqsma filwaqt li l-Artikolu 16 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill 1083/2006 tal-11 ta’ Lulju 2006 dwar il-Fond Ewropew għall-Iżvilupp Reġjonali, il-Fond Soċjali Ewropew u l-Fond ta’ Koeżjoni u li jħassar ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1260/1999[36] jirrikjedi li l-aċċessibiltà għal persuni b’diżabilità tkun waħda mill-kriterji li għandhom ikunu osservati fid-definizzjoni ta’ operazzjonijiet kofinanzjati mill-Fondi. Il-Kunsill enfasizza wkoll il-bżonn għal miżuri sabiex jiżguraw l-aċċessibiltà ta’ infrastruttura kulturali u attivitajiet kulturali għal nies b’diżabilitajiet[37].

22. This Directive lays down minimum requirements, thus giving the Member States the option of introducing or maintaining more favourable provisions. The implementation of this Directive should not serve to justify any regression in relation to the situation which already prevails in each Member State.

21. Il-projbizzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni għandha tkun bla ħsara għaż-żamma jew adozzjoni minn Stati Membri ta’ miżuri maħsuba sabiex jipprevjenu jew jikkumpensaw għal żvantaġġi li jbatu grupp ta’ persuni ta’ reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali partikolari li l-għan ewlieni tagħhom huwa l-promozzjoni tal-bżonnijiet speċjali ta’ dawk il-persuni.

23. Persons who have been subject to discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation should have adequate means of legal protection. To provide a more effective level of protection, associations, organisations and other legal entities should be empowered to engage in proceedings, including on behalf of or in support of any victim, without prejudice to national rules of procedure concerning representation and defence before the courts.

22. Din id-Direttiva tistabbilixxi rekwiżiti minimi, u għalhekk tagħti lill-Istati Membri l-alternattiva li jintroduċu jew iżommu dispożizzjonijiet iktar favorevoli. L-implimentazzjoni ta’ din id-Direttiva ma għandhiex isservi sabiex tiġġustifika kwalunkwe regressjoni fir-rigward tas-sitwazzjoni li diġà teżisti f’kull Stat Membru.

24. The rules on the burden of proof must be adapted when there is a prima facie case of discrimination and, for the principle of equal treatment to be applied effectively, the burden of proof must shift back to the respondent when evidence of such discrimination is brought. However, it is not for the respondent to prove that the plaintiff adheres to a particular religion or belief, has a particular disability, is of a particular age or has a particular sexual orientation.

23. Persuni li kienu suġġetti għal diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali għandu jkollha mezz adegwat ta’ protezzjoni legali. Sabiex jipprovdu livell iktar effettiv ta’ protezzjoni, assoċjazzjonijiet, organizzazzjonijiet jew entitajiet legali oħra għandu jkollhom il-poter fi proċedimenti, inkluż f’isem jew b’appoġġ ta’ xi vittma, bla ħsara għal regoli nazzjonali ta’ proċedura li jirrigwardaw rappreżentazzjoni u difiża quddiem il-qrati.

25. The effective implementation of the principle of equal treatment requires adequate judicial protection against victimisation.

24. Ir-regoli dwar l-oneru tal-prova għandhom ikunu adattati meta jkun hemm każ ta’ diskriminazzjoni prima facie u, sabiex ikun applikat effettivament il-prinċipju ta’ trattament, l-oneru tal-prova għandu jerġa’ jmur lura fuq il-konvenut meta evidenza ta’ din id-diskriminazzjoni hija ppreżentata. Madankollu, mhuwiex f’idejn il-konvenut li jagħti prova li r-rikorrent għandu reliġjon jew twemmin partikolari, għandu diżabilità partikolari, huwa ta’ età partikolari jew għandu orjentazzjoni sesswali partikolari.

26. In its resolution on the Follow-up of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007), the Council called for the full association of civil society, including organisations representing people at risk of discrimination, the social partners and stakeholders in the design of policies and programmes aimed at preventing discrimination and promoting equality and equal opportunities, both at European and national levels.

25. L-implimentazzjoni effettiva tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali jirrikjedi protezzjoni ġudizzjarja kontra vittimizzazzjoni.

27. Experience in applying Directives 2000/43/EC and 2004/113/EC show that protection from discrimination on the grounds covered by this Directive would be strengthened by the existence of a body or bodies in each Member State, with competence to analyse the problems involved, to study possible solutions and to provide concrete assistance for the victims.

26. Fir-riżoluzzjoni tiegħu dwar is-segwitu tas-Sena Ewropea ta’ Opportunitajiet Indaqs għal Kulħadd (2007), il-Kunsill sejjaħ għall-assoċjazzjoni kollha tas-soċjetà ċivili, inkluż organizzazzjonijiet li jirrappreżentaw nies fir-riskju ta’ diskriminazzjoni, imsieħba soċjali u persuni interessati fid-disinn ta’ politiki u programmi immirati sabiex jipprevjenu diskriminazzjoni u jippromwovu ugwaljanza u opportunitajiet ugwali, fuq livelli Ewropej u nazzjonali.

28. In exercising their powers and fulfilling their responsibilities under this Directive, these bodies should operate in a manner consistent with the United Nations Paris Principles relating to the status and functioning of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights.

27. Esperjenza fl-applikazzjoni tad-Direttivi 2000/43/KE u 2004/113/KE turi li l-protezzjoni minn diskriminazzjoni għar-raġunijiet koperti minn din id-Direttiva tkun imsaħħa bl-eżistenza ta’ korp jew korpi f’kull Stat Membru, bil-kompetenza li tanalizza l-problemi involuti, tistudja soluzzjonijiet possibbli u tipprovdi assistenza konkreta għall-vittmi.

29. Member States should provide for effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions in case of breaches of the obligations under this Directive.

28. Fl-eżerċizzju tal-poteri tagħhom u t-twettiq tar-responsabilitajiet skond din id-Direttiva, dawn il-korpi għandhom joperaw b’mod konsistenti mal-Prinċipji tan-Nazzjonijiet Uniti ta’ Pariġi li jirrigwardaw is-sitwazzjoni u l-funzjonament ta’ istituzzjonijiet nazzjonali għall-protezzjoni u promozzjoni ta’ drittijiet umani.

30. In accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the EC Treaty, the objective of this Directive, namely ensuring a common level of protection against discrimination in all the Member States, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of the scale and impact of the proposed action, be better achieved by the Community. This Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

29. L-Istati Membri għandhom jipprovdu sanzjonijiet effettivi, proporzjonali u disswasivi f’każijiet ta’ ksur ta’ l-obbligazzjonijiet skond din id-Direttiva.

31. In accordance with paragraph 34 of the interinstitutional agreement on better law-making, Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interest of the Community, their own tables, which will, as far as possible, illustrate the correlation between the Directive and the transposition measures and to make them public.

30. Skond il-prinċipji ta’ sussidjarjetà u proporzjonalità kif stabbilit fl-Artikolu 5 tat-Trattat KE, l-għan ta’ din id-Direttiva, fi kliem ieħor li jkun żgurat livell komuni ta’ protezzjoni kontra diskriminazzjoni fl-Istati Membri kollha, ma jistax jintlaħaq b’mod suffiċjenti mill-Istati Membri u jista’ għalhekk, skond l-iskala u l-impatt ta’ l-azzjoni proposta, jintlaħaq aħjar mill-Komunità. Din id-Direttiva ma tmurx lil hinn minn dak li huwa neċessarju sabiex jintlaħqu dawk l-għanijiet.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

31. Skond il-paragafu 34 tal-ftehim interistituzzjonali dwar ħolqien ta’ liġi aħjar, l-Istati Membri huma mħeġġa biex jistabbilixxu, għalihom infushom u fl-interess tal-Komunità, it-tabelli tagħhom, li għandhom, sa fejn hu possibbli, juru l-korrelazzjoni bejn id-Direttiva u l-miżuri ta’ traspożizzjoni u li jagħmluhom pubbliċi.

Chapter 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

ADOTTA DIN ID-DIRETTIVA:

Article 1 Purpose

Kapitolu 1 DISPOŻIZZJONIJIET ĠENERALI

This Directive lays down a framework for combating discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation, with a view to putting into effect in the Member States the principle of equal treatment other than in the field of employment and occupation.

Arti kolu 1 Għan

Article 2 Concept of discrimination

Din id-Direttiva tistabbilixxi qafas li jiġġieled id-diskriminazzjoni għal raġunijiet ta’ reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali, sabiex ikollu effett fl-Istati Membri l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali minbarra fl-oqsma ta’ impjieg u professjoni.

1. For the purposes of this Directive, the "principle of equal treatment" shall mean that there shall be no direct or indirect discrimination on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1.

Artikolu 2 Kunċett ta’ diskriminazzjoni

2. For the purposes of paragraph 1:

1. Għall-finijiet ta’ din id-Direttiva, l-“prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali” għandu jfisser li ma għandux ikun hemm diskriminazzjoni diretta jew indiretta għal kwalunkwe mir-raġunijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu 1.

(a) direct discrimination shall be taken to occur where one person is treated less favourably than another is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation, on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1;

2. Għall- finijiet tal-paragrafu 1:

(b) indirect discrimination shall be taken to occur where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put persons of a particular religion or belief, a particular disability, a particular age, or a particular sexual orientation at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons, unless that provision, criterion or practice is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.

(a) diskriminazzjoni diretta għandha tkun ikkunsidrata li sseħħ meta persuna waħda hija trattata b’mod inqas favorevoli milli oħra hi, kienet jew se tkun trattata f’sitwazzjoni simili, għal kwalunkwe mir-raġunijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu 1;

3. Harassment shall be deemed to be a form of discrimination within the meaning of paragraph 1, when unwanted conduct related to any of the grounds referred to in Article 1 takes place with the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person and of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

(b) diskriminazzjoni indiretta għandha tkun ikkunsidrata li sseħħ meta dispożizzjoni, kriterju jew prattika apparentement newtrali tpoġġi lil persuni ta’ reliġjon jew twemmin partikolari, diżabilità partikolari, età partikolari, jew orjentazzjoni sesswali partikolari fi żvantaġġ partikolari mqabbel ma’ persuni oħra, sakemm dik id-dispożizzjoni, kriterju jew prattika ma tkunx oġġettivament ġustifikata minn għan leġittimu u l-mezzi li bihom jintlaħaq dak l-għan huma approprjati u neċessarji.

4. An instruction to discriminate against persons on any of the grounds referred to in Article 1 shall be deemed to be discrimination within the meaning of paragraph 1.

3. Fastidju għandu jitqies bħala forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni fis-sens tal-paragrafu 1, meta kondotta mhix mixtieqa li għandha x'taqsam ma' kwalunkwe mir-raġunijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu sseħħ bl-iskop jew effett li tmur kontra d-dinjità ta’ persuna u ta’ ħolqien ta’ ambjent intimidanti, ostili, degradanti, umiljanti jew offensiv.

5. Denial of reasonable accommodation in a particular case as provided for by Article 4 (1)(b) of the present Directive as regards persons with disabilities shall be deemed to be discrimination within the meaning of paragraph 1.

4. Istruzzjoni li tiddiskrimina kontra persuni minħabba kwalunkwe mir-raġunijiet imsemmija fl-Artikolu 1 għandhom ikunu ikkunsidrati li jkunu diskriminazzjoni fis-sens tal-paragrafu 1.

6. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, Member States may provide that differences of treatment on grounds of age shall not constitute discrimination, if, within the context of national law, they are justified by a legitimate aim, and if the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary. In particular, this Directive shall not preclude the fixing of a specific age for access to social benefits, education and certain goods or services.

5. Ċaħda ta’ akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli f’każ partikolari kif provdut fl-Artikolu 4 (1)(b) ta’ din id-Direttiva fir-rigward ta’ persuni b’diżabilitajiet għandhom ikunu kkunsidrati li jkunu diskriminazzjoni fis-sens tal-paragrafu 1.

7. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, in the provision of financial services Member States may permit proportionate differences in treatment where, for the product in question, the use of age or disability is a key factor in the assessment of risk based on relevant and accurate actuarial or statistical data.

6. Minkejja l-paragrafu 2, l-Istati Membri jistgħu jistabbilixxu li differenzi fi trattament għal raġunijiet ta’ età ma għandhomx jikkostitwixxu diskriminazzjoni, jekk, fil-kuntest ta’ liġi nazzjonali, huma ġustifikati minn għan leġittimu, u jekk il-mezzi ta’ ksib ta’ dak l-għan huma xierqa u neċessarji. B’mod partikolari, din id-Direttiva ma għandhiex tipprekludi l-istabbiliment ta’ età speċifika għall-aċċess għal benefiċċji soċjali, għal edukazzjoni u għal ċerti provvisti jew servizzi.

8. This Directive shall be without prejudice to general measures laid down in national law which, in a democratic society, are necessary for public security, for the maintenance of public order and the prevention of criminal offences, for the protection of health and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

7. Minkejja l-paragrafu 2, fl-għoti ta’ servizzi finanzjarji l-Istati Membri jistgħu jippermettu differenzi proporzjonati fi trattament fejn, għall-prodott ikkonċernat, l-użu ta’ età jew diżabilità bħalahuwa fattur ewlieni fl-evalwazzjoni ta’ riskju bbażat fuq dejta preċiża attwarjali jew ta’ statistika.

Article 3 Scope

8. Din id-Direttiva għandha tkun bla ħsara għal miżuri ġenerali stabbiliti fil-liġi nazzjonali li, f’soċjetà demokratika, huma neċessarji għal sigurtà pubblika, għaż-żamma ta’ l-ordni pubblika u l-prevenzjoni ta’ offiżi kriminali, għall-protezzjoni tas-saħħa u l-protezzjoni tad-drittijiet u libertajiet ta’ oħrajn.

1. Within the limits of the powers conferred upon the Community, the prohibition of discrimination shall apply to all persons, as regards both the public and private sectors, including public bodies, in relation to:

Artikolu 3 Skop

(a) Social protection, including social security and healthcare;

1. Fil-limiti tal-poteri konferiti fuq il-Kummissjoni, il-projbizzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni għandha tapplika għall-persuni kollha, fir-rigward tas-setturi pubbliċi u privati, inkluż korpi pubbliċi, fir-rigward ta’:

(b) Social advantages;

(a) Protezzjoni soċjali, inkluż sigurtà soċjali u protezzjoni tas-saħħa;

(c) Education;

(b) Vantaġġi soċjali;

(d) Access to and supply of goods and other services which are available to the public, including housing.

(ċ) Edukazzjoni;

Subparagraph (d) shall apply to individuals only insofar as they are performing a professional or commercial activity.

(d) Aċċess għal u provvista ta’ oġġetti u servizzi oħra li huma disponibbli għall-pubbliku, inkluż akkomodazzjoni.

2. This Directive is without prejudice to national laws on marital or family status and reproductive rights.

Subparagrafu (d) għandu japplika għal individwi biss safejn ikunu qed iwettqu attività professjonali jew kummerċjali.

3. This Directive is without prejudice to the responsibilities of Member States for the content of teaching, activities and the organisation of their educational systems, including the provision of special needs education. Member States may provide for differences in treatment in access to educational institutions based on religion or belief.

2. Din id-Direttiva hija mingħajr preġudizzju għal liġijiet nazzjonali dwar l-istat ċivili jew familjari u drittijiet riproduttivi.

4. This Directive is without prejudice to national legislation ensuring the secular nature of the State, State institutions or bodies, or education, or concerning the status and activities of churches and other organisations based on religion or belief. It is equally without prejudice to national legislation promoting equality between men and women.

3. Din id-Direttiva hija bla ħsara għar-responsabbiltajiet ta’ Stati Membri għall-kontenut ta’ tagħlim, attivitajiet u l-organizzazzjoni tas-sistemi edukattivi tagħhom, inkluż l-għoti ta’ edukazzjoni ta’ bżonnijiet speċjali. L-Istati Membri jistgħu jipprovdu għal differenzi fi trattament għal aċċess f’istituzzjonijiet edukattivi bbażati fuq reliġjon jew twemmin.

5. This Directive does not cover differences of treatment based on nationality and is without prejudice to provisions and conditions relating to the entry into and residence of third-country nationals and stateless persons in the territory of Member States, and to any treatment which arises from the legal status of the third-country nationals and stateless persons concerned.

4. Din id-Direttiva hija bla ħsara għal għal-leġiżlazzjoni nazzjonali li tiżgura n-natura sekulari ta’ l-Istat, istituzzjonijiet jew korpi ta’ l-Istat, jew edukazzjoni, jew li tikkonċerna l-istatus u l-attivitajiet ta’ knejjes u organizzazzjonijiet oħra bbażati fuq reliġjon jew twemmin. Hija bl-istess mod bla ħsara għal-leġiżlazzjoni nazzjonali li tippromwovi l-ugwaljanza bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa.

Article 4 Equal treatment of persons with disabilities

5. Din id-Direttiva ma tkoprix differenzi ta’ trattament ibbażati fuq nazjonalità u hija bla ħsara għal dispożizzjonijiet u kundizzjonijiet li jirrigwardaw id-dħul u r-residenza ta’ ċittadini ta’ pajjiżi terzi u persuni mingħajr stat fit-territorju ta’ Stati Membri, u għal kwalunkwe trattament li jinħoloq mis-sitwazzjoni legali ta’ ċittadini ta’ pajjiżi terzi u persuni mingħajr stat ikkonċernati.

1. In order to guarantee compliance with the principle of equal treatment in relation to persons with disabilities:

Artikolu 4 Trattament ugwali ta’ persuni b’diżabilitajiet

a) The measures necessary to enable persons with disabilities to have effective non-discriminatory access to social protection, social advantages, health care, education and access to and supply of goods and services which are available to the public, including housing and transport, shall be provided by anticipation, including through appropriate modifications or adjustments. Such measures should not impose a disproportionate burden, nor require fundamental alteration of the social protection, social advantages, health care, education, or goods and services in question or require the provision of alternatives thereto.

1. Sabiex ikun garantit twettiq tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali fir-rigward ta’ persuni b’diżabilitajiet:

b) Notwithstanding the obligation to ensure effective non-discriminatory access and where needed in a particular case, reasonable accommodation shall be provided unless this would impose a disproportionate burden.

a) Il-miżuri neċessarji li jippermettu li persuni b’diżabilitajiet ikollhom aċċess effettiv mhux diskriminatorju għal protezzjoni soċjali, vantaġġi soċjali, protezzjoni tas-saħħa, edukazzjoni u aċċess għal u provvista ta’ oġġetti u servizzi li huma disponibbli għall-pubbliku, inkluż akkomodazzjoni u trasport, għandhom ikunu provduti b’antiċipazzjoni, inkluż permezz ta’ tibdil jew aġġustamenti xierqa. Dawn il-miżuri ma għandhomx jimponu piż sproporzjonat, u lanqas jirrikjedu tibdil fundamentali tal-protezzjoni soċjali, il-vantaġġi soċjali, il-kura tas-saħħa, l-edukazzjoni, jew il-provvisti u s-servizzi kkonċernati, jew jirrikjedu l-istabbiliment ta’ alternattivi għalihom.

2. For the purposes of assessing whether measures necessary to comply with paragraph 1 would impose a disproportionate burden, account shall be taken, in particular, of the size and resources of the organisation, its nature, the estimated cost, the life cycle of the goods and services, and the possible benefits of increased access for persons with disabilities. The burden shall not be disproportionate when it is sufficiently remedied by measures existing within the framework of the equal treatment policy of the Member State concerned.

b) Minkejja l-obbligazzjoni li jkun żgurat aċċess mhux diskriminatorju u fejn hemm bżonn f’każ partikolari, akkomodazzjoni raġonevoli għandha tkun provduta sakemm dan ma jimponix piż sproporzjonat.

3. This Directive shall be without prejudice to the provisions of Community law or national rules covering the accessibility of particular goods or services.

2. Sabiex jiġi evalwat jekk miżuri neċessarji biex jikkonformaw mal-paragrafu 1 humiex se jimponu piż sproporzjonat, għandhom jitqiesu, b’mod partikolari, id-daqs u r-riżorsi ta’ l-organizzazzjoni, in-natura tagħha, il-prezz estimat, il-ħajja tal-provvisti u servizzi u l-benefiċċji possibbli ta’ aċċess miżjud għal persuni b’diżabilitajiet. Il-piż ma għandux ikun sproporzjonat meta huwa rimedjat biżżejjed minn miżuri eżistenti fil-qafas tal-politika ta’ trattament ugwali ta’ l-Istat Membru kkonċernat.

Article 5 Positive action

3. Din id-Direttiva għandha tkun bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-liġi Komunitarja jew regoli nazzjonali li jkopru l-aċċessibilità ta’ provvisti jew servizzi partikolari.

With a view to ensuring full equality in practice, the principle of equal treatment shall not prevent any Member State from maintaining or adopting specific measures to prevent or compensate for disadvantages linked to religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

Artikolu 5 Azzjoni pożittiva

Article 6 Minimum requirements

Sabiex tkun żgurata ugwaljanza totali fil-prattika, il-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali ma għandux jostakola kwalunkwe Stat Membru milli jżomm jew jadotta miżuri speċifiċi sabiex jipprevjeni jew jikkumpensa żvantaġġi konnessi ma’ reliġjon jew twemmin, diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali.

1. Member States may introduce or maintain provisions which are more favourable to the protection of the principle of equal treatment than those laid down in this Directive.

Artikolu 6 Rekwiżiti minimi

2. The implementation of this Directive shall under no circumstances constitute grounds for a reduction in the level of protection against discrimination already afforded by Member States in the fields covered by this Directive .

1. Stati Membri jistgħu jintroduċu jew iżommu dispożizzjonijiet li huma iktar favorevoli għall-protezzjoni tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali minn dawk stabbiliti f’din id-Direttiva.

CHAPTER II REMEDIES AND ENFORCEMENT

2. L-implimentazzjoni ta’ din id-Direttiva ma għandha f’ebda ċirkostanza tikkostitwixxi raġunijiet għal tnaqqis fil-livell ta’ protezzjoni kontra diskriminazzjoni diġà mogħtija mill-Istati Membri f’oqsma koperti minn din id-Direttiva .

Article 7 Defence of rights

KAPITOLU II RIMEDJI U INFURZAR

1. Member States shall ensure that judicial and/or administrative procedures, including where they deem it appropriate conciliation procedures, for the enforcement of obligations under this Directive are available to all persons who consider themselves wronged by failure to apply the principle of equal treatment to them, even after the relationship in which the discrimination is alleged to have occurred has ended.

Arti kolu 7 Difiża ta’ drittijiet

2. Member States shall ensure that associations, organisations or other legal entities, which have a legitimate interest in ensuring that the provisions of this Directive are complied with, may engage, either on behalf or in support of the complainant, with his or her approval, in any judicial and/or administrative procedure provided for the enforcement of obligations under this Directive.

1. L-Istati Membri għandhom jiżguraw li proċeduri ġudizzjarji u/jew amministrattivi, inkluż meta jikkunsidraw li huma xierqa proċeduri ta’ konċiljazzjoni, għall-infurzar ta’ obbligazzjonijiet skond din id-Direttiva, ikunu disponibbli għall-persuni kollha li jħossuhom li kien hemm nuqqas kontrihom fl-applikazzjoni tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali, anki wara li r-relazzjoni li fiha d-diskriminazzjoni hija allegata li saret tkun spiċċat.

3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be without prejudice to national rules relating to time limits for bringing actions as regards the principle of equality of treatment.

2. L-Istati Membri għandhom jiżguraw li assoċjazzjonijiet, organizzazzjonijiet jew entitajiet legali oħra, li għandhom interess leġittimu fl-assigurazzjoni li d-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ din id-Direttiva huma mwettqa, jistgħu jieħdu sehem, kemm f’isem jew b’appoġġ ta’ min qed jagħmel l-ilment, bl-approvazzjoni tiegħu jew tagħha, fi kwalunkwe proċedura ġudizzjarja u/jew amministrattiva stabbilita fl-infurzar ta’ obbligazzjonijiet skond din id-Direttiva.

Article 8 Burden of proof

3. Il-paragrafi 1 u 2 għandhom ikunu bla ħsara għal regoli nazzjonali li jirrigwardaw limiti ta’ żmien sabiex ikunu ppreżentati azzjonijiet fir-rigward tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali.

1. Member States shall take such measures as are necessary, in accordance with their national judicial systems, to ensure that, when persons who consider themselves wronged because the principle of equal treatment has not been applied to them establish, before a court or other competent authority, facts from which it may be presumed that there has been direct or indirect discrimination, it shall be for the respondent to prove that there has been no breach of the prohibition of discrimination.

Artikolu 8 Oneru tal-prova

2. Paragraph 1 shall not prevent Member States from introducing rules of evidence which are more favourable to plaintiffs.

1. L-Istati Membri għandhom jieħdu l-miżuri kollha neċessarji, skond is-sistemi nazzjonali ġudizzjarji tagħhom, sabiex jiżguraw li, meta persuni li jħossuhom li sar nuqqas kontrihom minħabba li l-prinċipju ta’ trattatment ugwali ma kienx applikat għalihom jistabbilixxu, quddiem qorti jew awtorità kompetenti oħra, fatti li minnhom jista’ jkun preżunt li kien hemm diskriminazzjoni diretta jew indiretta, għandu jkun f’idejn il-konvenut li jagħti prova li ma kienx hemm ksur tal-projbizzjoni ta’ diskriminazzjoni.

3. Paragraph 1 shall not apply to criminal procedures.

2. Il-paragrafu 1 ma għandux jostakola Stati Membri milli jintroduċu regoli ta’ evidenza li huma iktar favorevoli għal rikorrenti.

4. Member States need not apply paragraph 1 to proceedings in which the court or competent body investigates the facts of the case.

3. Il-paragrafu 1 ma għandux japplika għal proċeduri kriminali.

5. Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 shall also apply to any legal proceedings commenced in accordance with Article 7(2).

4. Stati Membri m’għandomx japplikaw paragrafu 1 għal proċeduri li fihom il-qorti jew korp kompetenti jinvestiga l-fatti tal-każ.

Article 9 Victimisation

5. Il-paragrafi 1, 2, 3 u 4 għandhom japplikaw ukoll għal kwalunkwe proċedimenti legali mibdija skond l-Artikolu 7(2).

Member States shall introduce into their national legal systems such measures as are necessary to protect individuals from any adverse treatment or adverse consequence as a reaction to a complaint or to proceedings aimed at enforcing compliance with the principle of equal treatment.

Arti kolu 9 Vittimizzazzjoni

Article 10 Dissemination of information

L-Istati Membri għandhom jintroduċu fis-sistemi legali nazzjonali tagħhom dawk il-miżuri li huma neċessarji sabiex jipproteġu individwi minn kwalunkwe trattament kuntrarju jew konsegwenza kuntrarja bħala reazzjoni għal ilment jew għal proċedimenti mmirati sabiex jinfurzaw twettiq tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali.

Member States shall ensure that the provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive, together with the relevant provisions already in force, are brought to the attention of the persons concerned by appropriate means throughout their territory.

Artikolu 10 Disseminazzjoni ta’ informazzjoni

Article 11 Dialogue with relevant stakeholders

Stati Membri għandhom jiżguraw li d-dispożizzjonijiet adottati skond din id-Direttiva, flimkien mad-dispożizzjonijiet diġà fis-seħħ, jitpoġġew fl-attenzjoni tal-persuni kkonċernati permezz ta’ mezzi approprjati fit-territorju tagħhom.

With a view to promoting the principle of equal treatment, Member States shall encourage dialogue with relevant stakeholders, in particular non-governmental organisations, which have, in accordance with their national law and practice, a legitimate interest in contributing to the fight against discrimination on the grounds and in the areas covered by this Directive.

Artikolu 11 Djalogu mal-partijiet interessati rilevanti

Article 12 Bodies for the Promotion of Equal treatment

Sabiex ikun promoss il-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali, l-Istati Membri għandhom iħeġġu djalogu ma’ partijiet interessati rilevanti, b’mod partikolari organizzazzjonijiet mhux governattivi, li għandhom, skond il-liġi u l-prattika nazzjonali, interess leġittimu sabiex jikkontribwixxu għall-ġlieda kontra diskriminazzjoni għar-raġunijiet u fl-oqsma koperti minn din id-Direttiva.

1. Member States shall designate a body or bodies for the promotion of equal treatment of all persons irrespective of their religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. These bodies may form part of agencies charged at national level with the defence of human rights or the safeguard of individuals' rights, including rights under other Community acts including Directives 2000/43/EC and 2004/113/EC.

Arti kolu 12 Korpi għall-Promozzjoni ta’ Trattament Ugwali

2. Member States shall ensure that the competences of these bodies include:

1. L-Istati Membri għandhom jaħtru korp jew korpi għall-promozzjoni ta’ trattament ugwali tal-persuni kollha irrispettivament mir-reliġjon jew mit-twemmin tagħhom, diżabilità, età, jew orjentazzjoni sesswali. Dawn il-korpi jistgħu jiffurmaw parti minn aġenziji inkarigati fuq livell nazzjonali bid-difiża ta’ drittijiet tal-bniedem jew is-salvagwardja ta’ drittijiet ta’ individwi, inkluż drittijiet skond atti Komunitarji oħra inklużi d-Direttivi 2000/43/KE u 2004/113/KE.

- without prejudice to the right of victims and of associations, organizations or other legal entities referred to in Article 7(2), providing independent assistance to victims of discrimination in pursuing their complaints about discrimination,

2. L-Istati Membri għandhom jiżguraw li l-kompetenzi ta’ dawn il-korpi jinkludu:

- conducting independent surveys concerning discrimination,

- bla ħsara għad-dritt ta’ vittmi u assoċjazzjonijiet, organizzazzjonijiet jew entitajiet legali oħra msemmija fl-Artikolu 7(2), li jipprovdu assistenza indipendenti għal vittmi ta’ diskriminazzjoni biex jagħmlu l-ilmenti tagħhom rigward diskriminazzjoni,

- publishing independent reports and making recommendations on any issue relating to such discrimination.

- twettiq ta’ stħarriġ indipendenti li jikkonċernaw diskriminazzjoni,

CHAPTER III FINAL PROVISIONS

- pubblikazzjoni ta’ rapporti indipendenti u provvediment ta’ rakkomandazzjonijiet dwar kwalunkwe argument li jirrigwarda din id-diskriminazzjoni.

Article 13 Compliance

KAPITOLU III DIŻPOŻIZZJONIJIET FINALI

Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the principle of equal treatment is respected and in particular that:

Arti kolu 13 Twettiq

(a) any laws, regulations and administrative provisions contrary to the principle of equal treatment are abolished;

L-Istati Membri għandhom jieħdu l-miżuri kollha neċessarji sabiex jiżguraw li l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali huwa rispettat u b’mod partikolari li:

(b) any contractual provisions, internal rules of undertakings, and rules governing profit-making or non-profit-making associations contrary to the principle of equal treatment are, or may be, declared null and void or are amended.

(a) kwalunkwe liġijiet, regolamenti u dispożizzjonijiet amministrattivi li jmorru kontra l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali huma mħassra;

Article 14 Sanctions

(b) kwalunkwe dispożizzjonijiet kuntrattwali, regoli interni ta’ impriżi, u regoli li jirregolaw assoċjazzjonijiet li jagħmlu profitt jew li ma jagħmlux profitt u li jmorru kontra l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali huma, jew jistgħu jkunu, iddikjarati nulli jew jiġu emendati.

Member States shall lay down the rules on sanctions applicable to breaches of the national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive, and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are applied. Sanctions may comprise the payment of compensation, which may not be restricted by the fixing of a prior upper limit, and must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

Arti kolu 14 Sanzjonijiet

Article 15 Implementation

L-Istati Membri għandhom jistabbilixxu regoli dwar sanzjonijiet applikabbli għall-ksur ta’ dispożizzjonijiet nazzjonali adottati skond din id-Direttiva, u għandhom jieħdu l-miżuri kollha neċessarji sabiex jiżguraw li jkunu applikati. Is-sanzjonijiet jistgħu jinvolvu l-ħlas ta’ kumpens, li ma jistax ikun ristrett bl-istabbiliment ta’ limitu preċedenti ta’ fuq, u għandu jkun effettiv, proporzjonat u dissważiv.

1. Member States shall adopt the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by …. at the latest [two years after adoption]. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof and shall communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions and a correlation table between those provisions and this Directive.

Arti kolu 15 Implimentazzjoni

When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.

1. L-Istati Membri għandhom jadottaw il-liġijiet, regolamenti u dispożizzjonijiet amministrattivi neċessarji sabiex jimxu skond din id-Direttiva sa mhux aktar tard minn …. [sentejn wara adozzjoni]. Huma għandhom jinfurmaw lill-Kummissjoni b’dan u għandhom jinnotifikaw lill-Kummissjoni bit-test ta’ dawk id-dispożizzjonijiet u tabella ta’ korrelazzjoni bejn dawk id-dispożizzjonijiet u din id-Direttiva.

2. In order to take account of particular conditions, Member States may, if necessary, establish that the obligation to provide effective access as set out in Article 4 has to be complied with by … [at the latest] four [years after adoption].

Meta l-Istati Membri jadottaw dawn il-miżuri, huma għandhom jinkludu referenza għal din id-Direttiva jew ikunu akkumpanjati minn din ir-referenza fl-okkażjoni tal-pubblikazzjoni uffiċjali tagħhom. Il-metodi ta’ kif issir din ir-referenza għandhom ikunu stabbiliti mill-Istati Membri.

Member States wishing to use this additional period shall inform the Commission at the latest by the date set down in paragraph 1 giving reasons.

2. Sabiex ikunu kkunsidrati kundizzjonijiet partikolari, Stati Membri jistgħu, jekk ikun neċessarju, jistabbilixxu li l-obbligazzjoni li jkun provdut aċċess effettiv kif stabbilit fl-Artikolu 4 għandu titwettaq [sa mhux aktar tard minn] … erba’ [snin wara adozzjoni].

Article 16 Report

L-Istati Membri li jixtiequ jużaw dan il-perjodu addizzjonali għandhom jinfurmaw lill-Kummissjoni mhux aktar tard mill-ġurnata stabbilita fil-paragrafu 1 u jagħtu r-raġunijiet.

1. Member States and national equality bodies shall communicate to the Commission, by …. at the latest and every five years thereafter, all the information necessary for the Commission to draw up a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Directive.

Arti kolu 16 Rapport

2. The Commission's report shall take into account, as appropriate, the viewpoints of the social partners and relevant non-governmental organizations, as well as the EU Fundamental Rights Agency. In accordance with the principle of gender mainstreaming, this report shall, inter alias, provide an assessment of the impact of the measures taken on women and men. In the light of the information received, this report shall include, if necessary, proposals to revise and update this Directive.

1. L-Istati Membri u l-korpi ta’ ugwaljanza nazzjonali għandhom jinnotifikaw lill-Kummissjoni, sa mhux aktar tard minn …. jew kull ħames snin wara dan, l-informazzjoni kollha neċessarja għall-Kummissjoni sabiex tagħmel rapport lill-Parlament Ewropew u l-Kunsill dwar l-applikazzjoni ta’ din id-Direttiva.

Article 17 Entry into force

2. Ir-rapport tal-Kummissjoni għandu jqis, kif xieraq, il-perspettivi ta’ l-imsieħba soċjali u organizzazzjonijiet rilevanti mhux governattivi, kif ukoll l-Aġenzija ta’ Drittijiet Fundamentali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea. Skond il-prinċipju dwar studji tas-sessi, dan ir-rapport għandu, inter alias , jipprovdi stima ta’ l-impatt tal-miżuri meħuda fuq nisa u rġiel. Fid-dawl ta’ l-informazzjoni li waslet, dan ir-rapport għandu jinkludi, jekk neċessarju, proposti għar-reviżjoni u emenda ta’ din id-Direttiva.

This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Arti kolu 17 Dħul fis-seħħ

Article 18 Addressees

Din id-Direttiva għandha tidħol fis-seħħ fil-ġurnata tal-pubblikazzjoni tagħha fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea.

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Arti kolu 18 Indirizzati

Done at Brussels,

Din id-Direttiva hija indirizzata lill-Istati Membri.

For the Council

Magħmula fi Brussell,

The President

Għall-Kunsill

[1] Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, OJ L 180 of 19.7.2000, p.22 and Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, OJ L 303 of 2.12.2000, p. 16

Il-President

[2] COM (2007) 640

[1] Id-Direttiva 2000/43/KE tad-29 ta’ Ġunju 2000 li timplimenta l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali bejn il-persuni irrispettivament mill-oriġini razzjali jew etnika, ĠU L 180 tad-19.7.2000, p.22 u d-Direttiva 2000/78/KE tas-27 ta’ Novembru 2000 li tistabbilixxi qafas ġenerali għall-ugwaljanza fit-trattament fl-impjieg u fix-xogħol, ĠU L 303 tat-2.12.2000, p. 16

[3] COM (2008) 412

[2] COM (2007) 640

[4] COM (2008) 420

[3] COM (2008) 412

[5] [ COM (2008) XXX ]

[4] COM (2008) 420

[6] Directive 2004/113/EC of 13 December 2004 implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services, OJ L 373 of 21.12.2004, p.37

[5] [ COM (2008) XXX ]

[7] Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (OJ L 180 of 19.7.2000), Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (OJ L 303 of 2.12.2000)

[6] Id-Direttiva 2004/113/KE tat-13 ta’ Diċembru 2004 li timplimenta l-prinċipju tat-trattament ugwali bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa fl-aċċess għal u l-provvista ta’ merkanzija, ĠU L 373 tal-21.12.2004, p.37

[8] COM (2006) 643 final

[7] Id-Direttiva 2000/43/KE tad-29 ta’ Ġunju 2000 li timplimenta l-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali bejn il-persuni irrispettivament mill-oriġini razzjali jew etnika (ĠU L 180 tad-19.7.2000), id-Direttiva 2000/78/KE tas-27 ta’ Novembru 2000 li tistabbilixxi qafas ġenerali għal trattament ugwali fl-impjieg u x-xogħol (ĠU L 303 tat-2.12.2000)

[9] COM (2008) 225

[8] COM (2006) 643 finali

[10] The full results of the consultation can be accessed at: http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/news/news_en.htm#rpc

[9] COM (2008) 225

[11] http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ebtp/consultations/index_en.htm

[10] Ir-riżultati kompluti tal-konsultazzjoni jistgħu jinkisbu fuq: http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/news/news_en.htm#rpc

[12] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/org/imass_en.htm#ar

[11] http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ebtp/consultations/index_en.htm

[13] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/pdf/pubst/stud/mapstrand1_en.pdf

[12] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/org/imass_en.htm#ar

[14] Will be available on:http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/org/imass_en.htm

[13] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/pdf/pubst/stud/mapstrand1_en.pdf

[15] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/public/pubst_en.htm#leg

[14] Se jkun disponibbli fuq:http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/org/imass_en.htm

[16] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/pdf/pubst/stud/multdis_en.pdf

[15] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/public/pubst_en.htm#leg

[17] Special Eurobarometer Survey 296 on discrimination in the EU: http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/public/pubst_en.htm and http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb_special_en.htm

[16] http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/pdf/pubst/stud/multdis_en.pdf

[18] Flash Eurobarometer 232; http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_232_en.pdf

[17] Special Eurobarometer Survey 296 dwar diskriminazzjoni fl-UE: http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/public/pubst_en.htm u http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb_special_en.htm

[19] Will be available on:http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/org/imass_en.htm

[18] Flash Eurobarometer 232; http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_232_en.pdf

[20] OJ L269 of 5.10.2002

[19] Se jkun disponibbli fuq:http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights/org/imass_en.htm

[21] Judgment of the ECJ of 1.4.2008 in case C-267/06 Tadao Maruko

[20] ĠU L 269 tal-5.10.2002

[22] Case C-185/97 [1998] ECR I-5199

[21] Sentenza tal-Qorti tal-Ġustizzja ta’ l-1.4.2008 fil-kawża C-267/06 Tadao Maruko

[23] Danfoss, Case 109/88 . [1989] ECR 03199

[22] Kawża C-185/97 [1998] Ġabra I-5199

[24] OJ L.14, 20.1.1998

[23] Danfoss, Kawża 109/88 . [1989] Ġabra 03199

[25] Directive 2002/73/EC amending Council Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions, OJ L 269 of 5.10.2002, p.15

[24] ĠU L.14, 20.1.1998

[26] Cases C-180/95 Draehmpaehl, ECR 1997 I p.2195 and C-271/91 Marshall ECR 1993 I P.4367

[25] Id-Direttiva 2002/73/KE li temenda d-Direttiva tal-Kunsill 76/207/KEE dwar l-implimentazzjoni tal-prinċipju ta’ trattament ugwali bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa fir-rigward ta’ aċċess għall-impjieg, taħriġ professjonali u promozzjoni u kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol, ĠU L 269 tal-5.10.2002, p.15

[27] OJ C , , p. .

[26] Kawżi C-180/95 Draehmpaehl, Ġabra 1997 I p.2195 u C-271/91 Marshall Ġabra 1993 I P.4367

[28] OJ C , , p. .

[27] ĠU C , , p. .

[29] OJ C , , p. .

[28] ĠU C , , p. .

[30] OJ C , , p. .

[29] ĠU C , , p. .

[31] Presidency conclusions of the Brussels European Council of 14 December 2007, point 50.

[30] ĠU C , , p. .

[32] Resolution of 20 May 2008 P6_TA-PROV(2008)0212

[31] Konklużjonijiet ta’ presidenza tal-Kunsill Ewropew ta’ Brussell ta’ l-14 ta’ Diċembru 2007, punt 50.

[33] COM (2008) 412

[32] Riżoluzzjoni ta’ l-20 ta’ Mejju 2008 P6_TA-PROV(2008)0212

[34] Directive 2000/43/EC, Directive 2000/78/EC and Directive 2004/113/EC

[33] COM (2008) 412,

[35] Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006 and Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007

[34] Id-Direttiva 2000/43/KE, id-Direttiva 2000/78/KE u d-Direttiva 2004/113/KE

[36] OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p.25. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1989/2006 (OJ L 411, 30.12.2006, p.6)

[35] Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 1107/2006 u r-Regolament (KE) Nru 1371/2007

[37] OJ C 134, 7.6.2003, p.7

[36] ĠU L 210, 31.7.2006, p.25. Ir-Regolament kif emendat l-aħħar mir-Regolament (KE) Nru 20071989/2006 (ĠU L 411, 30.12.2006, p.6)

[37] ĠU C 134, 7.6.2003, p.7