MINELRES: Fwd: ECRI: Five new reports on racism (Armenia, Iceland, Luxemburg,
Slovenia and Spain)
MINELRES moderator
[email protected]
Wed Jul 16 08:10:20 2003
Original sender: Greek Helsinki Monitor <[email protected]>
ECRI'S LISTSERVE
Five new reports on racism
ECRI released today five new reports examining racism, xenophobia,
anti-Semitism and intolerance in Armenia, Iceland, Luxemburg, Slovenia
and Spain. ECRI recognises that, in all five Council of Europe member
countries, positive developments have occurred. At the same time, the
reports detail continuing grounds for concern for the Commission:
In Armenia, ECRI notes a lack of sufficient attention and resources
devoted to the promotion of the linguistic and cultural heritage of
minority groups. There seems to be a sense among certain minority groups
that their situation has worsened compared to the majority population
and they report instances of discrimination. The large group of ethnic
Armenian refugees living in the country also face problems of
integration and are particularly vulnerable to social and economic
disadvantage and marginalisation. Moreover, a number of problems persist
relating to the practice of certain minority religions within the
country.
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/1-ECRI/2-Country-by-country_approach/Armenia/Armenia_CBC_2en.asp#TopOfPage
In Iceland, there still remain gaps in the legislative protection
against racism and discrimination. Although little research data exist,
there are indications that the situation of non-citizens and persons of
immigrant origin may not be wholly satisfactory in various fields of
life, including employment and education. Manifestations of hostility
and discrimination in daily life towards persons who are different from
the majority are reported, and there seems to be a lack of an
overarching policy vision and strategies to deal with any problems which
exist.
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/1-ECRI/2-Country-by-country_approach/Iceland/Iceland_CBC_2en.asp#TopOfPage
In Luxembourg, difficulties remain as regards the implementation of
legislation designed to combat racism and discrimination. The way in
which some officials deal with immigrants and asylum seekers is not
always satisfactory. There remain too many prejudices and xenophobic
stereotypes among the general public and these can lead to
discrimination in the employment and housing sectors.
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/1-ECRI/2-Country-by-country_approach/Luxembourg/Luxembourg_CBC_2en.asp#TopOfPage
In Slovenia, ECRI underlines that improvements in the situation of the
ex-Yugoslav minority groups, many members of whom are still
non-citizens, will depend on the speed and efficiency of implementing
the new legislation. Furthermore, there still exists a certain level of
prejudice and intolerance among the Slovenian population towards those
who are different from the majority. In certain areas, the Roma
population is faced with economic and social difficulties, which make
its members vulnerable to discrimination.
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/1-ECRI/2-Country-by-country_approach/Slovenia/Slovenia_CBC_2en.asp#TopOfPage
In Spain, problems of racism and xenophobia persist and concern
particularly Roma/Gypsies and non-EU citizens. This situation appears to
be partly linked to an inadequate implementation of the existing
legislation to fight against these phenomena but also to the widespread
use in public debate of arguments and imagery that create a negative
climate around immigration and immigrants. The implementation of certain
aspects of Spain's immigration policy and other relevant legislation in
some parts of its territory, notably the Canary Islands, Ceuta and
Melilla, is a cause for concern.
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/1-ECRI/2-Country-by-country_approach/Spain/Spain_CBC_2en.asp#TopOfPage
----------------------
Balkan Human Rights List
Subscribe: [email protected]
Unsubscribe: [email protected]
Home:
Balkan Human Rights Web Pages: http://www.greekhelsinki.gr
The Balkan Human Rights List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/balkanhr
The Greek Human Rights List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/greekhr
Center of Documentation and Information on Minorities in Europe -
Southeast Europe: http://www.cedime.net