The race equality directive 2000/43/ec – is it effective in the EU accession states in ensuring the rights of Roma minority (in accessing mainstream education and labour market)? – A case study on Hungary

Abstract

The thesis examines the effectiveness of acquis communautaire on anti-discrimination with a focus on the Roma minority in the EU accession state - Hungary. Therefore, it critically evaluates the European Union’s (EU) competence in terms of monitoring and enforcement of relevant legislation, such as the Race Equality Directive 2000/43/EC (RED), which is central to the research question. The thesis argues that the EU needs to demonstrate a firmer grip on this issue along with a consistent application of its legislation including the RED under the acquis communautaire in order to have a visible impact on the ground. The scenario is compounded by the implementation and enforcement mechanisms of Hungary despite having an elaborate legal and policy framework for minority protection. The doubt on the ‘political will’ of both the EU and Hungary emerged repeatedly throughout the thesis, which signifies the relative weight of the topic. An empirical study conducted through expert interviews in Hungary supplemented the existing data and enabled to identify the ‘causal factors’ behind the implementation and enforcement issues of policy and legislation under the auspices of the RED. The thesis concludes that legislation will prove to be impracticable; unless and until societal dialogue can be established, especially between the minority and the majority at a local level. Thus, there is scope for making recommendations in line with the identified ‘causal factors’ from interdisciplinary perspectives in the context of the competences of both the EU and Hungary