Challenges in Implementing EU Anti-Discrimination Legislation in Member States (Relatii Internationale) (Report‪)‬

Anti-discrimination directives The two Council directives that have laid the foundation for EU competences and action against discrimination are the Racial Equality Directive and the Employment Equality Directive. The "Article 13 Directives", as they are sometimes styled to trace their origin to Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, guarantee a minimum common level of protection for all EU citizens against all forms of discrimination. According to Article 13 of the Treaty establishing the European Community: "Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Treaty and within the limits of the powers conferred by it upon the Community, the Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, may take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation". Their purpose is also to strengthen the national legislation articles on equality and non-discrimination.