Indicators for Monitoring Implementation of EU Equality Directives

The present article discusses the usefulness of indicators in monitoring not only the legal transposition but also the practical implementation of the two Equality Directives adopted in 2000. It focuses on those provisions of the Directives which have assigned a particular role to ngos, both in reacting to discrimination as well as in preventing discrimination and promoting equality. Indicators have been developed on the basis of a comparative review of transposition and implementation, including case studies on Romania, Hungary and Croatia. Considering the great potential of ngos in contributing to achieve the aims of the Directives and the current worrying trends as to how they are supported in (or obstructed from) taking up their role, the article proposes using these indicators not only in the pre-accession context but also for regular monitoring of all EU member states.