The Protection against Discrimination Act defines different types and forms of discrimination:

• Direct discrimination: due to some personal circumstance, a certain person is treated less favourably in some circumstances than others;
• Indirect discrimination: due to a seemingly neutral provision, criterion or practice, a certain person is in a less favoured position compared to other persons;
• Harassment and sexual harassment;
• Instructions to discriminate: any instructions that may cause discrimination:
• Incitement to discrimination: encouraging others to commit any discriminatory acts, publicly justifying discrimination;
• Retaliatory measures (victimisation): exposure of any discriminated persons due to their actions aimed at preventing or eliminating discrimination;
• Severe forms of discrimination: multiple discrimination, mass discrimination, continuous and repeated discrimination, discrimination causing consequences difficult to remedy (especially when the victims are children or other vulnerable persons).

Discrimination can be active or passive. Active discrimination means an act is committed in order to discriminate against a person, whereas in the case of passive discrimination, measures to prevent discrimination have been abandoned.

Unequal treatment is reflected in poorer access to the education system, healthcare and social services, the labour market and employment options, goods, more difficult integration into society, in police and judicial procedures, disabling or hindering integration into various organisations, attaining housing and in many other areas.