The European Commission has on May 5 2010 referred Poland to the EU Court of Justice for incorrectly implementing EU rules prohibiting discrimination based on race or ethnic origin.

The move comes after Poland failed to adequately transpose the legislation agreed at EU level in its national law.

In referring Poland to the Court, the Commission pointed out that:

Poland has not transposed the Directive outside the field of employment. There are no specific provisions in Polish legislation that would prohibit discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin with regard to social protection and social advantages, access to goods and services, including housing, membership in trade unions, employers' bodies and professional organisations and access to education.

Similarly, the Polish provisions on protection against victimisation cover only the field of employment and not the other areas within the Directive’s scope.

Source: European Commission DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities