German anti-discrimination chief wants more effective laws and powers

MIPEX III warned that Germany’s current laws were below the EU-average and potentially ineffective because victims do not get the support they need from equality NGOs and one of Europe’s weakest equality bodies. The head of Germany’s Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency is now calling for greater sanctions and powers. The rights and sanctions that she recommends are common across the EU. If these changes were implemented, the laws in Germany would finally compare to its EU neighbours and significantly improve the fight against discrimination...
Christine Lüders, head of Germany’s Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Tuesday that the country needs tougher legal sanctions because unequal treatment “harms us and our competitiveness.” In the interview, she confirmed that people in Germany do not know their rights and cannot receive direct support as victims in various proceedings from the agency or equality NGOs. She also recommended that courts to have more sanctions will prevent, discourage and correct discrimination. The current sanctions do not meet the EU requirements of being effective, proportionate and dissuasive...
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