16th May 2016
Liisa Pakosta, Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner form Estonia, visited the Lithuanian Equality Body on the 13th of May.
The aim of the visit was to discuss perspectives for cooperation between the two institutions and possibilities for common projects and initiatives to promote equality in Lithuania and Estonia.
The Estonian Equality Commissioner is an independent and impartial expert who monitors compliance with the requirements of the Gender Equality Act and the Equal Treatment Act, assists and consults persons who suspect that they have been discriminated against. In the case of suspected discrimination, the Commissioner may initiate an investigation that results in a legal assessment: the Opinion of the Commissioner. An investigation can also be directly initiated by the Commissioner. The Commissioner carries out surveillance in both the public and private sectors.
The Commissioner also provides assistance in compiling a submission or a claim to a court or a labour dispute committee, undertakes promotional activities to change people’s attitudes, and counter possible preconceptions and outdated stereotypes.
The Laws of the Republic of Estonia prohibit discrimination on the ground of sex, nationality (ethnic origin), race or skin colour, religion, views, age, disability or sexual orientation. The Commissioner can also assist if persons have been treated less favourably due to their being a parent or having family obligations, or because they belong to a trade union. Ms. Liisa Pakosta has noted that most of the recent complaints filed to the Office of the Commissioner related to the discrimination on the ground of nationality (ethnic origin).