- Fréttir

Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)

and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) today issued a joint

call on governments, intergovernmental organisations and civil society to intensify

efforts in addressing racism and xenophobia.

As we commemorate today the tragic events of 1960 in Sharpeville

of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, we are concerned that the current economic

crisis is beginning to fuel racist and xenophobic intolerance across the region.

Our organisations are alarmed by reports indicating an upsurge in violent attacks

targeting migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, and minorities such as the Roma.

Europe’s history demonstrates how economic depression can tragically lead to

increasing social exclusion and persecution. We are concerned that in times of crisis,

migrants, minorities and other vulnerable groups become ‘scapegoats’ for populist

politicians and the media.

Such ‘scapegoating’ has already led to increased hostility and incidents of violent hate

crime against minorities and migrants in some countries. As the economic crisis

deepens, there is a great need for politicians and other public figures to carefully

consider their statements to avoid inciting and inflaming ethnic, racial and religious

tensions.

All forms of intolerance must be addressed head-on in an even-handed and balanced

manner, guaranteeing protection from human rights violations for everybody in

society. All acts of hate crime have a far-reaching impact on victims and their

communities and require equal attention and commitment when being addressed.

We, the signatories of this statement:

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violence motivated by racial hatred or xenophobia, and to act responsibly and

refrain from providing simplistic explanations with racist, xenophobic or anti-

2

Semitic connotations to complex social, political and economic problems or

phenomena;

•

personnel, prosecutors and the judiciary in order to enhance their effectiveness

in dealing with racist, xenophobic and other hate crimes;

•

racist, xenophobic and other hate crimes, and intensify their efforts to collect

data and statistics on such crimes and incidents;

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crime have access to effective remedies to address grievances. Human rights

institutions, specialized bodies and victim support organisations must be granted

sufficient independence, adequate resources and strong competences to help

advance the combat against discrimination.

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which can have a disproportional negative impact on marginalized minority and

migrant groups already suffering from precarious living conditions.