On 16 June 2008, Commissioner Jacques Barrot confirmed to the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the European Commission will propose a cross-cutting directive aimed at combating discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, religion/belief and sexual orientation, not just in employment, but in all areas of life.

At the moment, there is no guaranteed equal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation, age, disability, religion and belief in relation to access to social protection, goods and services, health care and education at the European level.

Civil society organisations and trade unions working for equality, human rights and social justice have welcomed the European Commission’s decision to propose a single anti-discrimination directive and thanked both the EC and the European Parliament for their consistent commitment and support to extend the protection against discrimination as mentioned under the EU Treaty.