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International Zero Discrimination Day

On the 1st of March is celebrated the International Zero Discrimination Day which aims to address the issue of discrimination in its form. Zero Discrimination Day was launched by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on February 27, 2014 and was first celebrated by UN on 1st of March 2014. 

Discrimination continues to undermine efforts to achieve a more inclusive and equitable world. Ending discrimination requires action from everyone. Zero Discrimination Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the topic and to establish a more fair and inclusive society.

For this year, the theme for the Zero Discrimination Day 2019 is ‘’Act to change laws that Discriminate”, aiming to promote equality against the law for everyone. Within this context, the SupportVoc project, funded by the Justice Programme (2014-2020) of EU, is totally related with the concept of this year’s Zero Discrimination Day.

The project aims to contribute to the effective and coherent application of EU criminal law in the area of the rights of victims of crime, and specifically the implementation and practical application of Directive 2012/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime SupportVoc project.

The Directive seeks to ensure that the victims of crime receive appropriate information, support and protection during the criminal justice process. In that respect, it calls on member states to ensure that victims are recognized and treated in a respectful, sensitive, tailored, and professional manner, in all contacts with victim support or restorative justice services or a competent authority, operating within the context of criminal proceedings. It should be also underlined that the rights set out in the Directive shall apply to victims in a non-discriminatory manner.

Partners aim to eliminate the discrimination of victims against the law and to establish their access to confidential support services in accordance with their needs, free of charge that will ultimately enhance the protection of their rights.