New Euro anti-racism measures

The European Union has approved new laws aimed at combatting racial discrimination.

The new legislation covers discrimination in the workplace, when buying goods or services and access to social security.

It will mean that the majority of EU countries which currently have no racial discrimination laws in place will have to implement legislation.

In those countries that already have laws the rules will be strengthened in favour of those alleging racism.

The penalties imposed will be left to individual states.

Plans to introduce new measures across Europe to tackle sexual harassment at work are expected to be approved by the European Commission later today Wednesday

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service