Racism and Xenophobia in the EU FRA Report news item
From DADEL
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Issues New Report on Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the EU
Source: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) press release
28 August 2007 -- Unequal treatment continues in employment, housing and education, according to data collected by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Figures for racist crime in 2005 and 2006 are up in a number of EU countries. Data collection systems remain inadequate to support the fight against racism. While there are more signs that the EU’s anti-discrimination legislation is having a positive impact, victims of discrimination still lack knowledge of the new rules. This shows that Member States need to do more to raise awareness in this respect. These are some of the main findings emerging from FRA’s “Report on Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the EU”, presented at the European Parliament on 27 August.
Information collected by the Agency in 2006 points to ethnic discrimination and inequalities in employment, education and housing. Evidence of this is found in surveys that reveal discrimination against those who simply have foreign-sounding names. In a significant number of EU countries, research describes widespread experiences of discrimination amongst migrants and the Roma in housing, as well as limitations in their right to equal access to education, and higher vulnerability to unemployment.
An increase in recorded racist crimes has been noted in 8 of the 11 EU Member States that have collected adequate criminal justice data on racist violence and crime over a period of several years. Yet, FRA is unable to present a full picture for all EU countries due to a severe lack of national data. Differences and gaps in recording systems make it impossible to compare numbers between countries. Five of the EU’s 27 Member States did not publish any national criminal justice data on racist crime in 2005 or 2006. The FRA report does, however, offer encouraging examples of good practice in some Member States towards improving criminal justice responses to racist violence. These range from better police-community relations to the provision of professional support to victims of racism.
FRA notes that the EU’s legislation on racial equality is gradually stimulating positive change. The Agency finds that there is more awareness as regards discrimination, and the need to combat it, among politicians, the media and the public. In some Member States there were for the first time landmark court decisions against discrimination in access to employment. New political and civil society initiatives have been taken to combat discrimination in and through education. Noting, however, the gaps in achieving the right to equal opportunities for everyone in the EU, the Agency called on governments to ensure adequate protection against discrimination.
By the end of 2006, quite a few EU countries had still not fully implemented the EU’s racial equality rules. In addition, no sanctions had been applied against offenders in around half of the EU Member States. The very low level of complaints recorded in some countries during 2006 suggests that victims are unaware of the existing legal protection against discrimination. According to a recent Eurobarometer survey,(1) on average only one third of EU citizens (32 per cent) claim to know their rights should they become victim of discrimination or harassment. Member States must therefore intensify their efforts to raise awareness and disseminate information, in particular among potential victims of discrimination. This is important because the protection offered under the EU racial equality rules rests on the awareness and initiative of victims and the application of dissuasive sanctions.
FRA presented its new report to the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Anastasia Crickley, the recently elected first Chairperson of the Agency’s Management Board, noted: “There is progress with regard to putting in place racial equality legislation in most EU countries. Yet, FRA’s report proves that we cannot be complacent. There is ample evidence that racist violence and discrimination persist and in fact are on the increase in parts of the EU. We must guarantee equal rights and protection from violence for everyone – not just on paper, but also in practice. It is important that the new Agency for Fundamental Rights continues to provide the EU with reliable data on the development of racism and discrimination, along with advice on how to develop evidence-based policies to combat such phenomena.”
More information
Full text of FRA's Report on Racism and Xenophobia in the Member States of the EU
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) press release