Human Rights Monitor
Council
of Europe reports on racism
The
Council of Europe's expert body on combating racism, the
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI),
released five new reports examining racism, xenophobia,
antisemitism and intolerance in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
France, "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"
and Turkey. ECRI recognises that positive developments
have occurred in all five of these Council of Europe member
countries. At the same time, however, the reports detail
continuing grounds for concern for the Commission:
In
Austria, the continuing marked differentiation in law
and practice between, on the one hand, Austrian and other
EU citizens and, on the other, non-EU citizens, negatively
affects the social and political integration of all segments
of Austrian society. Racism and racial discrimination
still affect the daily lives of members of minority groups,
and particularly of black Africans, Muslims and Roma.
Manifestations of antisemitism also still represent an
issue of concern of ECRI in Austria.
In
Bosnia and Herzegovina, severe problems of racism and
racial (including ethnic and religious) discrimination
persist, often as a result of nationalist policies pursued
by ethnically based political parties. Such problems aggravate
the situation of certain groups within a society which
is globally affected by very difficult post-war socio-economic
conditions. Problems of direct and indirect discrimination
are pervasive in several areas of life and particularly
in education, employment, housing and access to health
services.
In
France, law enforcement officials and members of the judicial
service who receive complaints are not always sufficiently
alert to the racist aspect of offences, and the victims
are not always adequately informed or assisted when dealing
with formalities. Muslims are up against an increase in
racist acts and statements and access to education for
children of immigrants and Travellers still needs to be
improved. Antisemitism has increased alarmingly in France,
notably in the school environment.
In
"the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia",
the Roma community continues to experience, on a wide
scale, particularly poor living conditions and to suffer
from an accumulation of economic and social disadvantage,
aggravated by changing economic conditions, discrimination
and insufficient attention from the authorities. ECRI
also raises a number of issues relating to the situation
of smaller minority groups, as well as of asylum seekers,
and continuing problems in the area of citizenship.
In
Turkey, despite the reforms, there are still some gaps
in the constitution and in criminal, civil and administrative
laws as regards action against racism and racial discrimination.
There is still room for improvement in the matter of religious
freedom, in particular as regards removing the reference
to religion on identity cards and abolishing compulsory
religious education in schools. No sanctions have been
taken against intolerant expressions and acts directed
at minority groups by sections of the media and members
of the public and there is still no national specialised
body to combat racism and intolerance.
These
new reports form part of a third monitoring cycle of Council
of Europe member states' laws, policies and practices
aimed at combating racism. They cover all member states
on an equal footing, from the perspective of protecting
human rights. They examine whether ECRI's main recommendations
from previous reports have been followed and, if so, to
what degree of success and effectiveness.
Source:
Councils of Europe.
Photo
: AFP
