Handbook on European non-discrimination law

FOREWORD................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
ABBREVIATIONS..................................................................................................................................................................... 9
1. INTRODUCING EUROPEAN NON-DISCRIMINATION LAW:
CONTEXT, EVOLUTION AND KEY PRINCIPLES.......................................................................................11
1.1. Context and background to European
non-discrimination law....................................................................................................................... 12
1.1.1. The Council of Europe and the European
Convention on Human Rights................................................................................................ 12
1.1.2. The European Union and the non-discrimination directives.............................. 13
1.2. Current and future developments in
European protection mechanisms............................................................................................. 15
1.2.1. EU Charter of Fundamental Rights...................................................................................... 15
1.2.2. UN human rights treaties......................................................................................................... 16
1.2.3. European Union accession to
the European Convention on Human Rights..................................................................17
Key points ...................................................................................................................................................................17
Further reading........................................................................................................................................................ 18
2. DISCRIMINATION CATEGORIES AND DEFENCES................................................................................21
2.1. Introduction...................................................................................................................................................21
2.2. Direct discrimination.............................................................................................................................22
2.2.1. Unfavourable treatment...........................................................................................................22
2.2.2. A comparator...................................................................................................................................23
2.2.3. The protected ground.................................................................................................................26
2.3. Indirect discrimination.........................................................................................................................29
2.3.1. A neutral rule, criterion or practice....................................................................................29
2.3.2. Significantly more negative in its effects
on a protected group..................................................................................................................30
2.3.3. A comparator................................................................................................................................... 31
2.4. Harassment and instruction to discriminate.................................................................... 31
2.4.1. Harassment and instruction to discriminate
under the EU non-discrimination directives................................................................. 31
2.4.2. Harassment and instruction to discriminate under the ECHR............................34
2.5. Special or specific measures...........................................................................................................35
Key points.....................................................................................................................................................................42