Then Discrimination can Happen

Discrimination happens when someone is treated worse (less favourably' in legal terms) than another person in the same situation. This site deals with your rights if you are discriminated against because of your:-

• Race.
• Colour.
• Nationality; or
• National or ethnic origin.

People may suffer discrimination for a number of reasons. It can happen:-

• At work.
• When buying or using goods and services.
• When trying to buy or rent somewhere to live; or
• At a school or college.

The law protects you from many kinds of discrimination and gives you the right to take a claim to an employment tribunal or to a court if you think you have been unfairly treated.

• 'Equal opportunities', looks in more detail at the laws on discrimination because of your sex, and also at your rights if you are discriminated against because of your age, your religious beliefs or if you are lesbian or gay.
• 'Rights for people with disabilities', which looks at dealing with discrimination if you have a disability. You may find that you are discriminated against for more than one reason. If this is the case, you may need to get advice about the best course for action.

You can get advice from:-

• A trade union.
• Your local law centre.
• A Citizens Advice Bureau; or
• A solicitor.

Racial discrimination is not the same as racial abuse (being attacked, for example). Racial abuse is a crime, and if you have been a victim, you should report it to the police.

.: What the law says.

The Race Relations Act 1976 protects you against many kinds of racial discrimination and harassment. It also gives you the right to challenge unfair treatment in the courts or at an employment tribunal Also, taking someone to court or to a tribunal may change the way an organisation behaves, so that other people are not discriminated against.

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 extends the original Act. It makes racial discrimination by organisations that enforce the law, such as the police, unlawful. This law also says that government departments and other public organisations must have policies to promote racial equality.

Although many cases of discrimination are by white people against black and Asian, for example, white people, too, may complain of discrimination.