EQUINET – European Network of Equality Bodies

The Ombudsman has become (starting with January 1st 2009) a member of the European network of Equality Bodies –EQUINET, based in Brussels.

The Ombudsman has thereby become the 29th body in this network and alongside the Norwegian Ombud for Equality and Non-discrimination is the only body from a state which is not a Member State of the European Union.

The EQUINET network has been created in order to develop co-operation and facilitate information exchange between Equality Bodies across Europe, but also to support the uniform interpretation and implementation of EU anti-discrimination law. Activities of EQUINET are aimed at strengthening national bodies to aid them to fulfil their mandates. The network enables the exchange of legal expertise, enforcement strategies, training and best practice, as well as serves as a platform for dialogue with the European institutions based in Brussels.

During 2008 the Office of the Ombudsman has, in preparation for the entry into force of the Anti-discrimination Act, taken part in EQUINET activities as an observer. The advisors of the Ombudsman have taken part in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held in Brussels in April 2008, on a training ‘Solving discrimination cases from a comparative law perspective’, which was organised in June 2008 in Sofia and training ‘How do we understand Multiple Discrimination and how we can work to tackle it?’ which was organised in October 2008 in Rome.

Immediately after the enactment of the Anti-discrimination Act, the Ombudsman has, following the regular procedure, submitted a request for membership in the EQUINET network. The Executive Board of EQUINET had reviewed this request for membership on its meeting in Rome in October 2008, deciding positively on it. At the Annual General Meeting in October 2008 current members were presented with the Ombudsman’s request for membership and the Ombudsman has been accepted for membership of EQUINET by an unanimous decision of the present members, with the decision of the AGM on membership entering into force with the entry into force of the Anti-discrimination Act (on January 1st 2009) .

The main obligations that arise out of membership are active participation in the work of the network through specialised working groups which develop thematic reports and recommendations and participation at the Annual General Meetings. Membership also enables taking part in regularly organised trainings and the possibility of ongoing communication and cooperation with colleagues that implement anti-discrimination laws across Europe.

During 2009, using the benefits of membership, advisors to the Ombudsman have participated in a training held in Dublin in April 2009. During this year advisers of the Ombudsman have also undertaken some of the obligations that arise from EQUINET membership by participating in the work of two working groups.