Constitutionalising Equality in the European Union: Tolerance and Hierarchies

Abstract

Equality was amongst the founding principles of the European Economic Community, based on the need for freedom of movement and fair competition rather than on adherence to ideals of social justice. The recent legislative developments which have introduced laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, disability and religious belief represent not only the inclusion of many more groups within the legislative matrix, but also a challenge to the traditional ideas of what is meant by equality and to institutional ways of addressing discrimination. This article will consider how the very ‘private’ characteristics of belief and sexual orientation may invite considerations of freedoms and rights within a rights based discourse, albeit within the workplace. It will also draw attention to the impending problems of multiple discrimination.

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