segregation
Intentional or promoted separation of persons or groups on the basis of race, religion, belief, sex, sexual orientation or any other difference, whether perceived or real, without being permitted by law (for example in the case of education based on religious or other beliefs or national minority education). segregation usually has adverse individual and social consequences for those with protected characteristics. These include glaring disparities in access to infrastructure and economic, cultural and political resources. However segregation may be unlawful even if it takes place while completely identical conditions are being ensured.
Considering that segregation is a serious form of discrimination with grave consequences, its prohibition is explicitly and implicitly stated in many international conventions. In Europe today segregation is most often related to the specific location, housing, and the resulting institutional segregation or isolation in education, health care or social welfare services. While direct segregation is prohibited, it continues to be present in the practice of individual states covertly supported in the form of legislation (indirect discrimination), in the form of failure to act (eradication of spontaneous segregation) or as an indirect mechanism in the functioning of the institutional structure (institutional discrimination).