Verso l’uguaglianza? Le nuove direttive sugli organismi di parità

Directives 2024/1499/EU and 2024/1500/EU represent a development in EU anti-discrimination law, addressing institutional and procedural shortcomings in the operation of Equality Bodies. Aimed at enhancing independence, efficiency, and resource allocation, these instruments mandate free legal assistance for victims, systematic data collection, and public awareness initiatives. Grounded in Articles 19 and 157 TFEU, the directives employ distinct legal bases to navigate procedural constraints, achieving harmonisation while accommodating the dual legislative framework. For Italy, these directives expose significant structural weaknesses, including fragmented governance among bodies such as UNAR and Equality Advisors, insufficient compliance with international standards, and chronic underfunding. The transposition of these directives necessitates comprehensive legal and institutional reforms, including the potential establishment of a National Human Rights Institution to ensure alignment with EU benchmarks. These measures strengthen the enforcement of anti-discrimination rules and improve victims' access to justice, in line with EU objectives.