Publication of ECRI's 1998 Annual Report

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Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 09:43:04 +0200 (EET)
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Subject: Publication of ECRI's 1998 Annual Report

From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>

Original sender: Isobelle Jaques <[email protected]>

Publication of ECRI's 1998 Annual Report


European "stock-taking" on racism reveals persistent discrimination
against members of minority groups
 
STRASBOURG, 24.03.99 - In publishing today its 1998 annual report, the
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), the Council
of Europe's body of independent experts on this subject, identifies
the main trends in racism in Europe.  The review is based on ECRI's
findings over the five years since its creation.
 
The most striking feature, ECRI notes, is the "persistence of
discrimination at various levels", such as employment, housing,
provision of services and acquisition of citizenship, which is
"compounded by a lack of effective anti-discrimination provisions in
most member States".  Such daily discrimination is practised by both
public bodies, for example the judicial and law enforcement systems
and schools, as well as by private individuals.
 
Other worrying developments to which ECRI draws attention include:
 
* continued hostility to immigrants, asylum-seekers and refugees,
widely expressed in the media and by politicians;  this is reflected
in restrictive legislation or other measures which do not always
guarantee respect for human rights;
 
* increased manifestations of racial or ethnic violence, or incitement
to such acts, often linked to the proliferation and growth of
extremist groups throughout Europe;
 
* the rise of religious intolerance, with prejudice against Muslim
communities of particular concern, as well as the dissemination of
antisemitic material;
 
* persisting discrimination in many walks of social and economic life
against Roma/Gypsies, who are also subjected to violent racist
attacks.
 
ECRI was established by the first Summit of Heads of State and
Government of Council of Europe member States, held in Vienna in
October 1993.  It examines the legislation, policies and other
measures pursued by the Organisation's 40 member States in combating
racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and related intolerance and
formulates recommendations in this respect.  The Council of Europe's
second Summit (Strasbourg, October 1997) decided to strenghten ECRI's
activities.
 
ECRI's annual report, covering the period 1 January to 31 December
1998, details its activities in each aspect of its programme:
country-by-country approach; work on general themes;  and relations
with civil society.  The report is available on internet: 
www.ecri.coe.fr

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