Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002106/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Pina Picierno (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Marc Angel (S&D), Lucia Yar (Renew), Irene Tinagli (S&D), Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D)
The Ufficio Nazionale Antidiscriminazioni Razziali (UNAR) is a public equality body established by the Italian Government, responsible for promoting equal treatment and eliminating discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation.
The UNAR falls under Directive 2000/43/EC[1] and, after its transposition into national law, Directive (EU) 2024/1500[2].
Independence and impartiality should underpin its actions. Nevertheless, the UNAR reports to the Office of the Prime Minister and its director is appointed by the Prime Minister. Therefore, the principles of independence and impartiality are compromised and the office is subject to political influence by the government. The UNAR has been accused of delaying the financing of anti-discrimination projects and breaking off formal relations with civil society organisations and human rights defenders, specifically LGBTQIA+ related associations.
In view of the implementation of Directive (EU) 2024/1500, in particular Articles 3 on independence and impartiality, 4 on resources, and 5 and 6 that set out the objectives, can the Commission clarify:
- 1.if the UNAR and the Italian Government are already complying with the provisions applying to equality bodies in the context of the Directive (EU) 2024/1500;
- 2.if it is already in contact with national authorities regarding the implementation of Directive (EU) 2024/1500;
- 3.what would the possible actions be if Italy does not comply with the provisions of EU law?
Submitted: 26.5.2025
- [1] Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, OJ L 180, 19.7.2000, p. 22., ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2000/43/oj.
- [2] Directive (EU) 2024/1500 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation, OJ L, 2024/1500, 29.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1500/oj.