Press release

The European Commission Withdraws the Equal Treatment Directive

EL*C Condemns the European Commission’s Decision as Betrayal of Fundamental Rights

Brussels, February 17, 2025 – The EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community (EL*C) strongly condemns the European Commission’s intention to withdraw the Equal Treatment Directive, a move that abandons the rights of lesbians, LGBTI people, young and older persons, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities at a time when democracy and equality are under unprecedented attack.

A Historic Betrayal

Civil society organizations across Europe are sounding the alarm because, after 16 years of delays, the European Commission has chosen to unilaterally discard a legislative proposal designed to protect citizens from discrimination. The timing of this decision is beyond coincidence: while Donald Trump wages an open war against minorities and fundamental European values, attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion, the EU is shamefully caving to political expediency, and sacrificing its most vulnerable communities, including lesbians, LGBTI people, young and older persons, and persons with disabilities.

Sacrificing Human Rights for Political Survival

It is impossible to ignore the political calculations at play. Silvia Casalino, EL*C executive co-director declares: “It is especially concerning that while the far-right is on the rise everywhere in Europe and key elections are held in Germany, the Commission led by Von der Leyen chooses to sacrifice the human rights of citizens in what appears as a dangerous political gamble.”

Even more alarmingly, this comes at a time when Poland’s presidency has listed the Directive as a priority, raising serious questions about the European Commission’s true commitment to building a “Union of Equality” during the current mandate.

The Global Backlash Reaches Europe

“The political blast opened by Trump’s election is now blowing over the EU”, Ilaria Todde, EL*C Advocacy Director explains, “Cancelling this directive without presenting a stronger, more comprehensive and intersectional alternative signals that the EU is unwilling—or incapable—of protecting its people from the global backlash against equality, democracy, and human rights. This is not leadership. This is surrender.”

Our Demands

We refuse to stand by in silence. For this reason, together with other European 9 human rights organisations, demand the European Commission to:

• Reconsider its intention to withdraw the Equal Treatment Directive;

• If the withdrawal proceeds, immediately propose a more robust and comprehensive legislative proposal that takes an intersectional approach, along with a clear timeline;

•  Immediately engage in meaningful consultation with the European Parliament, civil society, Equality Bodies and EU citizens to determine the necessary action to achieve true equality;

• Make an unequivocal commitment to making the Union of Equality a reality for all of us.

We also call on:

• The Polish Presidency to hold an urgent and public Council meeting for the Commission to explain this decision

• The European Parliament to hold a public hearing with the European Commission on the decision and future steps to ensure protection against discrimination for all people living in the EU

   

Europe must decide what it stands for: empty words or real protections for all.