diskriminierende

Diskriminierende is a German term that can function as both an adjective and a noun, related to the concept of discrimination. As an adjective, diskriminierend describes acts, statements, or policies that unfairly treat people or groups because of characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, nationality, or language. In everyday language, it is used to label behavior or decisions that disadvantage others on protected grounds.

As a noun, Diskriminierende (plural) can refer to individuals or groups who discriminate, i.e., those who engage in discriminatory behavior. The related phrases Diskriminierende Handlungen or diskriminierende Maßnahmen refer to discriminatory actions or measures. In many contexts, the more neutral term diskriminierend is used to describe the quality of actions without naming the actor.

Discrimination is a subject of sociology, law, and public policy. Legal frameworks distinguish between individual discriminatory acts and broader patterns of discrimination. In Germany, the Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG) prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, education, and access to goods and services on protected characteristics. Similar protections exist under European Union law and international human rights instruments. Institutions and courts often address complaints about discrimination, aiming to remedy harm and prevent recurrence.

Scholarly discourse also examines the causes and mechanisms of discrimination, as well as strategies to reduce it, including inclusive policies, awareness-raising, and anti-bias training. The term Diskriminierende thus encompasses both the people who discriminate and the behavior or policies that cause unequal treatment, within a broader effort to promote equal rights and non-discrimination.