Dutch anti-discrimination policy under fire
February 6, 2008
The European Commission has concluded that Dutch anti-discrimination legislation fails to square with European Union guidelines. The Hague has been given two months to answer the accusation, after which the issue could be referred to the European Court of Justice. Such a move remains unlikely, but it is clear the Dutch legislation is not rigorous enough.
Frank van Dalen of the Dutch gay and lesbian organisation, COC, says the law is framed in such a way that religious-based institutions, such as Christian schools, can still turn away homosexual applicants for jobs.
As it stands, the law says homosexuals cannot be refused employment “because of the simple fact” of their sexuality. However, it is formulated so as to allow them to be rejected because their lifestyle goes against the religious principles of the school. Mr van Dalen says it is this loophole the European Commission wants closed.
Read full article: Radio Netherlands, 6 February 2008
ALL Italian museums and the Prado Museum in Madrid discriminate against senior tourists. They give free admission to seniors who are citizens of the European Union only.
The European Commission says that there are not European Laws antidiscriminatives for third nation citizens.
This discrimination does not happen neither in Britain, France or Germany.
French museums do not give any free admission neither to French, Italian, Euriopean or American citizens. Italian museums give free admission to French seniors so they should give it also to American or Canadian seniors.
This discrimination is UNTHINKABLE in the United States, no American museum asks the nationality of the visitors. All museums of Germany gave me the senior deduction without asking me for my nationality. The Museum Reina Sofia in Madrid gives free admission to all seniors without discriminating by nationality.
An Italian man who works with me told me that there are many problems in Italy because of the mafia. I agree with him because discrimination of tourists for nationality is something proper of mafiosi.
If these discriminations occurred in Myanmar, North Korea or Iran there would be uproar that human rights of Americans were violated but since it happens in Italy it is the best kept secret in the World. WHY?
Do you know of any international forum where theses discriminations can be discussed?
Peter Feldman
139 East 33rd Street #7A
New York, NY 10016
USA