Last week, the composition of the new European Commission and the distribution of commissioner portfolios were announced. While there was previously a dedicated Commissioner for Equality, this portfolio will no longer exist in the new commission. Instead, a new Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management has been created, which, among many other responsibilities, will also handle equal opportunities at the European Union level. The Estonian Human Rights Centre (EHRC) has joined more than 50 European NGOs in addressing the European Commission and the public to express concern and dismay, calling on the Commission to ensure that the principle of equal treatment remains a priority in the EU’s work.
In their letter, the NGOs remind the European Commission that Europe’s vision has been a “Union of Equality,” but the elimination of the Equality portfolio and its merging with crisis management presents significant risks. Given the fast-paced and often overwhelming nature of crises, it is easy for equality issues to be sidelined due to crisis management demands.
The new arrangement could also jeopardize the consistent and thoughtful implementation of equality policies, as crises—whether pandemics, wars, economic or environmental disasters—may consume the new commissioner’s time and attention. The past few years have shown that crises can overwhelm even the most dedicated officials.
EHRC has joined the NGOs’ call, asking the European Commission to ensure that equality remains central to the EU’s priorities. We urge European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reaffirm both the commitment of the new commission and the EU to equality issues, and to ensure that the new commissioner, with their broad mandate, is equipped with the necessary resources and capacity to meaningfully address the equality agenda.
Among the signatories are many major pan-European civil society networks, such as Eurochild, the umbrella organization for children’s rights, AGE Platform Europe, which advocates for the rights of older people, the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), and many others.
Since you are here...
It is important to protect everyone’s human rights, because it helps to keep stability and peace in the society. There are many challenges for protection of human rights in Estonia: intolerance has really come out of the closet. Bad things happen when good people are too passive, but together we can make a change.
Estonian Human Rights Centre is the competent, accountable and impactful independent human rights organisation in Estonia. Your recurring or one-time donation helps to stand up for human rights everywhere: in courts, in the media, in schools, in the workplace, on the streets and in governmental venues.
Donating is easy, and you can use your credit card if donating from abroad.
Donate now