Corrigendum to Council Directive 96/97/EC of 20 December 1996 amending Directive 86/378/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in occupational social security schemes.

Article 2 of the EC Treaty provides that promotion of equality between men and women is a task of the European Community. Under Article 3(2), the Community should aim to eliminate inequalities and promote equality between men and women.

This protocol provides for a collective complaint mechanism under which certain kinds of organizations specified in Article 1 or national organizations specified in Article 2 of this additional protocol can file complaints against state parties to the protocol for non-compliance with the provisions of the Charter. It may be noted that unlike the European Court of Human Rights, individuals cannot file complaints. The Committee of Independent Experts, who is responsible for examining each complaint and deciding on its merits, considers the complaints.

The European Social Charter of 1961 guarantees several social and economic rights and was intended to complement the European Convention on Human Rights.

Protocol 12 extends the guarantee of non-discrimination in Article 14 of the European Convention of Human Rights (which is limited to the rights provided for in the Convention) to "any right set forth by law."

This protocol amends provisions of the European Social Charter relating to monitoring state compliance with the Charter.

This document outlines the basic principles and freedoms of the European Union. Chapter III, Equality, is particularly relevant.

This protocol includes provisions that address the needs of specific groups of people. Article 1 requires state parties to recognize the principle of equal treatment and equal opportunities in the field of employment without discrimination on the ground of sex. Article 4 provides for the right of elderly people to social protection, including the "provision of information about services and facilities available for elderly persons and their opportunities to make use of them" (Art.4(1(b)).

Article E in Part V provides for a general non-discrimination clause. Article 20 prohibits discrimination between men and women in employment and calls on states to give recognition to this prohibition and take steps to promote the right to equal opportunity and equal treatment.

This is the European Commission proposal for a Council Directive to implement the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. The proposed Council Directive will build upon Council Directive 2000/78/EC (The Employment Equality Directive) and will extend the protection from discrimination for millions of people across the European Union in areas including social security, healthcare, education and access to and supply of goods and services.