Wednesday, February 27, 2008

European Commission challenges Ireland, Germany on equality guidelines

The European Commission is threatening action against Ireland for making Church-run institutions exempt from laws that ban discrimination on the basis of orientation and belief.

Irish law allows Church-related institutions such as schools, hospitals, and social agencies to reject employment applicants whose views or activities would violate religious norms.

But Vladimir Spidla, the employment commissioner for the European Commission, has cited that policy as a violation of European law.

The Irish government has not yet responded to the challenge from the European Commission.

The European Commission is also challenging Germany's policy allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions.

The European Commission argues that the German policy does not give same-sex couples all the legal benefits of marriage and therefore discriminates against homosexuals. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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