According to another Eurobarometer poll on attitudes towards discrimination, the figures suggest that only one European out of three has the necessary information about anti-discrimination rights. Increasing knowledge of rights is one of the basic objectives of a new five-year campaign that will involve the whole EU and combat discrimination based on race, religion or personal convictions, handicap, age or sexual orientation. The campaign was launched in Brussels on 16 June by the European Commissioner for employment and social affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou. The survey shows that the inhabitants of Europe are not sufficiently conscious of their rights. Most Europeans consider, moreover, that ethnic origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age may be an obstacle in finding a job, even if the candidate otherwise has all the right qualifications. Most said they were contrary to discrimination; a fifth of those interviewed said they have been direct witnesses of forms of ethnic discrimination, with percentages ranging from 15% in Ireland to 35% in Holland. Awareness of rights varies from one country to another, but two thirds of those interviewed say they would not know what their own rights were if they were to be victims of discrimination. A fundamental objective of the information campaign is to fill this gap and enable citizens to know rights and duties sanctioned by the new European legislation. With the slogan “Differences yes. Discrimination no”, the campaign will concentrate, in its first year, on discrimination on the work place, addressing itself in particular to trades-unions and employers. Further information on the new legislation, on the Eurobarometer poll and on the information campaign may be found on the website: http://www.stop-discrimination.info.
