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Reducing Ethnic Profiling in the European Union - Open Society ...

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UNITED KINGDOMThe Equality Act 2010The Equality Act 2010 unifies exist<strong>in</strong>g non-discrim<strong>in</strong>ation law under a s<strong>in</strong>gle act,which establishes a legal framework to protect <strong>in</strong>dividual rights and advance equalopportunity. 62 The act applies to all organizations provid<strong>in</strong>g a public service, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<strong>the</strong> Police Service, customs and excise officers, tax officers, trad<strong>in</strong>g standards andhealth and safety officers, licens<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>the</strong> core functions of immigration authorities(see fur<strong>the</strong>r below), and <strong>the</strong> Prisons and Probation Service.The act protects aga<strong>in</strong>st discrim<strong>in</strong>ation on <strong>the</strong> basis of “protected characteristics”:• age• disability• gender reassignment• marriage and civil partnership• pregnancy and maternity• race• religion or belief• sex• sexual orientationThose subject to <strong>the</strong> act must, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> exercise of <strong>the</strong>ir functions, have due regard to<strong>the</strong> need to:• Elim<strong>in</strong>ate unlawful discrim<strong>in</strong>ation, harassment and victimisation and o<strong>the</strong>r conductprohibited by <strong>the</strong> Act.• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristicand those who do not.• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic andthose who do not.The bodies covered by <strong>the</strong> law are required to consider how <strong>the</strong>y can advance equalityand good relations. Equality considerations are to be reflected <strong>in</strong> policy design andservice delivery—<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternal policies—with regular review. The act also stipulatesspecific duties, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> publication of equality objectives and <strong>in</strong>formation,and monitor<strong>in</strong>g of progress toward meet<strong>in</strong>g those objectives.The act provides <strong>in</strong>dividuals and groups with <strong>the</strong> means to take legal action aga<strong>in</strong>stunlawful discrim<strong>in</strong>ation. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (formerly <strong>the</strong>Commission for Racial Equality) also has powers to conduct <strong>in</strong>vestigations, seekjudicial review, and issue compliance orders where it believes a public body is notfulfill<strong>in</strong>g ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> general duty or its specific duties under <strong>the</strong> act.36 LEGAL STANDARDS AND INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES TO ADDRESS ETHNIC PROFILING

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