Development of NGO lobbying strategy on the transposition of the Race Directive Patrick Yu Executive Director N.I. Council for Ethnic Minorities

Introduction n The Starting Line Group n Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty n Race Directive n Framework Directive on Employment n Amended Gender Directive n Protocol 12 of the ECHR n European Charter of Fundamental Rights & European Convention on the future of EU

General feature of the Race Directive n Conception of discrimination n Who is being protected? n Scope of protection n Exceptions and Positive Action n Defence of rights n Burden of proof n National body/bodies n Social dialogue and Reporting system

General feature of Article 13 n No hierarchy of rights among different grounds of discrimination n The implications of the new concept on multiple identities and multiple discrimination

One Goal: n Ensure the domestic legislation is in accordance to the spirit and contents of the Race Directive

Two Objectives: n 1. NGOs involve in the drafting process of the domestic legislation; and n 2. NGOs have representation at the national body / bodies

Three Strategies: n 1. Partnership building at all levels; n 2. Alliance building through national debate;and n 3. Representation and monitoring roles at all stages