By Martin Banks - 8th July 2010
In the last year there has been a hardening of the immigration debate
Nils Muiznieks
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has raised concerns over an alleged rise in racist violence in Europe.
The Strasbourg-based body said that in the past year there has been a "hardening" of the immigration debate and a rise in xenophobic and intolerant attitudes in general.
This, according to its chairman Nils Muiznieks, includes "virulent verbal attacks and violent incidents".
It was "particularly regrettable", he said, that 29 Council of Europe member states have not yet ratified protocol 12 to the European convention on human rights, which prohibits discrimination in general. He called on them to do so "as soon as possible."
His comments come after the ECRI published its annual report on Thursday, which examines the main trends in the field of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance in Europe.
In its report, the ECRI expresses its concern about the impact of the economic crisis on what it calls vulnerable groups – in particular the rise in unemployment and cuts to social services.
It says, "The negative climate of public opinion, fuelled by increasingly xenophobic political speech, has led to immigrants being held responsible for unemployment and the deterioration of security."
The report calls on member states to "apply their laws effectively to prevent and combat racism, intolerance and xenophobia, and to fill the legal gaps that still exist".
Although the organisation acknowledges that some states have adopted appropriate legislation, it says that its application "often remains a challenge".
Other issues of concern for ECRI are the persistence of what it claims is the "widespread police practice of racial profiling, abuses in the fight against terrorism and police brutality against vulnerable groups".
The report also claims that: Roma continue to experience open hostility and social exclusion, as well as raids against their settlements and murders.
It adds that "Anti-black racism" persists in Europe and is often translated into attacks against the coloured community. Race-related insults are frequent in sports events, it says.
And according to the report Muslims continue to be discriminated against in employment, law enforcement, town-planning, immigration and education and are targeted by specific legal restrictions. Member states need to do more to encourage tolerance of religious diversity, it says.
It also warns that anti-Semitism persists in Europe. Attacks on synagogues and Jewish cemeteries and Holocaust denial continue to be issues of concern.
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