The Bundestag elected Ferda Ataman as Independent Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination on Thursday, thereby accepting the Federal Government’s proposal for the newly created position. She is also the new head of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency.

 “Thank you for placing your trust in me. I very much look forward to taking up my new position,” said Ataman after being elected. “As Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, I will stand up for all those who are disadvantaged – whether because of their age, disability, origin, gender, sexual identity, religion or beliefs,” she said.

For more information on the election of Ferda Ataman, see the website of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Ferda Ataman succeeds Bernhard Franke, who had been acting head of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency since May 2018. Ataman will take up office after being officially appointed by the Federal President.

Standing up for protection against discrimination

In her first statement, Ferda Ataman announced that she would push for quick implementation of the improved legal protection against discrimination announced in the coalition agreement. In addition to the reform of the General Equal Treatment Act, she said, it was also important to expand nationwide counselling against discrimination, not least through organisations in civil society.

Ferda Ataman studied political science before working for several years at the Ministry for Generations, Family, Women and Integration in North Rhine-Westphalia and as head of unit at the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. She has also worked as an author, journalist and columnist and was most recently a member of the advisory board of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency.

The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency is the national contact centre for people affected by discrimination. It carries out public relations work, conducts academic research on discrimination and makes recommendations on how to avoid it. The Anti-Discrimination Agency was established in 2006 under the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.