Providing support to victims of racial discrimination was initially the central task of the Centre. Following consecutive Acts of Parliament, the Centre

CIG's main objectives is to guarantee the implementation of public policies in the area of citizenship and the promotion and defence of gender equality. Grounds of discrimination covered: mainly sex and sexual orientation, but recently also the other grounds of Article 13 of the EC Treaty (2010).

There is a person in the office of CGRS who is exclusively occupied with applications for asylum or subsidiary protection, based on sex (and transsexualism) or sexual orientation. Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons WTC II Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 26 A 1000 BRUSSELS

The two main mandates of the equality body are to promote compliance with the principle of equal treatment between women and men in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country and to defend citizens in the light of situations of gender related direct and indirect discriminations in the private sector. Grounds of discrimination covered: sex

The Hungarian Equal Treatment Authority (Eta) is an independent organisation, which was set up to receive and deal with individual and public complaints on unequal treatment and to implement the principles of equality and non discrimination. The Authority works under the direction of the Minister for Social Affairs and Labour, however ETA is independent in relation to the conduct of its duties. Grounds of discrimination covered: sex, racial origin, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin, mother tongue, disability, state of health, religious or ideological conviction, political or other opinion, family status, motherhood (pregnancy) or fatherhood, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, social origin, financial status, the part-time nature or definite term of the employment relationship or other relationship related to employment, trade union membership, other status, attribute or characteristic.

The Commission

The mandate includes: (a) Promote equality of opportunity and affirmative and positive action; (b) Work towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination in relation to sex, race, disability, religious belief, political opinion, sexual orientation; (c) Promote the relations between persons of different racial groups, religious beliefs and political opinion; (d) Oversee the effectiveness of the statutory positive duties placed on public authorities under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act, and; (e) Keep the relevant legislation for which the Commission is responsible under review. Grounds of discrimination covered: age, sex, race, disability, religious belief and political opinion, sexual orientation.

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency gives independent assistance to persons addressing themselves to the Agency in asserting their rights to protection against discrimination. Such assistance may, among other things, involve 1. providing information concerning claims and possible legal action based on legal provisions providing protection against discrimination; 2. arranging for advice to be provided by another authority; 3. endeavouring to achieve an out-of-court settlement between the involved parties. Where responsibility lies either with a Parliamentary Commissioner of the German Bundestag or a Federal Government Commissioner, the FADA passes immediately on the matters of the person, with their prior approval. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency and the competent Federal Government Commissioner and Parliamentary Commissioner of the German Bundestag co-operate in cases of discrimination (General Act on Equal Treatment, Section 27) Grounds of discrimination covered: race or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation.

The Ombudsman

Human Rights Defender is the constitutional authority for legal control and protection. In his activities, the Defender is integral and independent from other state authorities. The Defender acts pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and the Human Rights Defender Act of 15 July 1987. The Defender is appointed by the Sejm and approved by the Senate for a 5 -year term of office. The Human Rights Defender safeguards human and civic freedoms and rights specified in the Constitution and other legal acts. In order to fulfill this task the Defender investigates whether actions undertaken or abandoned by the entities, organizations or institutions obliged to observe and implement human and citizen rights and freedoms have not led to infringement of the law or the principles of social coexistence and justice, and undertakes appropriate measures.

The Centre is an independent legal person that performs tasks in the area of human rights and basic freedoms, including the rights of children. Grounds of discrimination covered: all grounds covered by the EU anti-discrimination directives.