Büro zur Umsetzung von Gleichbehandlung e.V. (BUG)

About us

The Bureau for the Implementation of Equal Treatment (BUG) pursues the vision of a discrimination-free society in which all people are treated equally in all areas of life regardless of their ethnic origin, religion, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation - in accordance with the proclaimed principle of equality.

To assist in realising this vision, BUG drives forward the use, implementation and strengthening of the General Equal Treatment Act and provides legal aid for strategically important cases. This is done by implementing processes and court procedures that are designed to provide legal certainty and initiate legal training.

BUG is committed to the political, social and legal implementation of precedent-setting decisions in order to put an end to discriminatory structures, rules and practices. This is achieved through lobbying as well as through information and public relations work.

BUG encourages and supports the development of synergies through meaningful networking and strategic exchange among relevant stakeholders.

BUG seeks, not only to speak up about unbearable situations, but also to stop them through legal and political means.

The basis and starting point of BUG’s work is the conviction that all persons are equal before the law and therefore need to be treated equally in comparable situations. International and human-rights law, particularly the UN Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) or the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (BRK) and the European Convention on Human Rights with its 12th Additional Protocol as well as the European legal system are recognised and used as a frame of reference, in addition to the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. Of particular importance as a benchmark are the human rights to equal treatment and non-discrimination, which are explicitly enshrined in EU law. This promise of equality must be now enforced in Germany’s social reality.

BUG was constituted independently of political parties and foundations, enterprises serving political/religious purposes and government-related institutions, and acts independently of them as well. The work that is carried out by BUG requires a strict independence from state structures. This is necessary so that BUG can be fully and exclusively devoted to the implementation of equal treatment, as stipulated by EU directives and the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).

BUG protects the interests of the people it represents and respects them in all of their activities. Persons supported by BUG can remain anonymous in legal proceedings if they so desire.