The right to freedom from discrimination

Everyone has the right to freedom from discrimination, and - according to the international human rights mechanisms - this right can be violated in a variety of ways, including by discriminating against someone because of:

• sex;
• race;
• colour;
• language;
• religion;
• political allegiance;
• opinions;
• nationality;
• social background;
• association with a national minority.

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International human rights mechanisms which protect the right to freedom from discrimination

The right to freedom from discrimination is protected by the following international human rights mechanisms (click on the links to find out more about how to use these mechanisms):

United Nations Human Rights Committee

United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders

Special Rapporteur on Racism

Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance

Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women

1503 Procedure

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

African Commission on Human and People's Rights

European Court of Human Rights