Ombudswoman Tena Šimonović Einwalter participated in the annual seminar for equality bodies of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe, held in Strasbourg on 17–18 October 2024, marking 30 years of ECRI’s work.
The seminar focused on racism and intolerance in healthcare, as well as on structural discrimination and institutional racism. It also aimed to highlight the importance of ECRI’s cooperation with equality bodies, such as the Office of the Ombudswoman.
On the second day of the seminar, the Ombudswoman delivered the opening address and moderated a discussion on Council Directive (EU) 2024/1499 on standards for equality bodies, to which she contributed during its drafting. More information is available [here].
Since it began its work in 1994, ECRI has focused on addressing racism, intolerance, and related discrimination in all Council of Europe member states, as well as on public policies aimed at combating these phenomena.
Over the past three decades, ECRI has supported the development of national anti-discrimination laws, policies, and other measures aimed at promoting equality and combating racism. It has provided guidance to Council of Europe member states through its General Policy Recommendations (GPR), as well as through country-specific recommendations in its monitoring reports. ECRI has also consistently encouraged the establishment or strengthening of equality bodies in Council of Europe member states, including through the Revised General Policy Recommendation No. 2, the drafting group which was led by Ombudswoman Tena Šimonović Einwalter.
The Ombudswoman also closed the seminar with a concluding address, calling for even stronger cooperation between ECRI and equality bodies.