Anti-Discrimination examination definitely deserves to be criticised. Upon the recommendation of the AOB, an explicit note containing the time limits was placed on the website of the Federal Equal Treatment Commission. This note regarding the necessity of adhering to time limits is all the more important as there are no time limits whatsoever with regard to bringing a case before the Equal Treatment Commission, the parallel body for examination and arbitration of discrimination cases in private business and industry. Petitions to this body can be made at any time. In these cases, there is only an indirect time limit, to the extent that the person affected also wishes to appeal to a court after the Equal Treatment Commission has been involved in order to enforce compensation for damages, as the Equal Treatment Commission can only give recommendations. Once a petition has been submitted to the Equal Treatment Commission, the time limits for filing a legal action are suspended. The AOB brought it up for discussion whether these differing regulations on time limits in proceedings that are otherwise relatively uniform are justified. As a possible explanation for the differing regulations, the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection and the Federal Ministry of Education and Women’s Affairs mentioned the greater degree of transparency in civil service employment law. However, it was indicated that this question would be discussed during the evaluation process of the equal opportunity instruments. The problem of the time limits that was addressed here is another – albeit minor – facet of the fragmented regulatory framework in equal opportunity law and the resulting more difficult access to justice. Therefore, the AOB welcomes the indication that this question will also be addressed during the evaluation process of the equal opportunity instruments. Evaluation announced 2.1.2 Discrimination based on nationality or ethnicity AOB meets European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) Recommendations by international bodies for the protection of human rights are an important guideline for the further development of protection against discrimination. Combating discrimination of all types has long been a particular concern for the AOB. By investigating individual cases that are brought to the AOB by the persons directly involved, but also by many NGOs and counselling centres, the AOB gains insight into structural problems and discrimination patterns. The AOB has several instruments available to contribute toward prevention 45