By Martin Banks - 24th June 2009
There is an urgent need for better information
Morten Kjaerum
A new report says "alarmingly few people" are aware of their rights and where to report incidents of discrimination.
The annual report of the EU's agency for fundamental rights says more awareness-raising on citzen rights is "urgently needed."
It also says that poor data collection in the EU-27 "continues to hamper" the implementation of effective policies to combat discrimination.
Gaps in legal protection ensure that discrimination "continues to thrive" in certain areas, it adds.
The FRA calls for better official data to raise awareness of how to report discrimination and encourage effective crime prevention initiatives at member state level.
The report covers information, events and developments in the EU for 2008.
It says that the FRA’s studies and reports have consistently shown that an overwhelming number of people are not aware of their rights should they be a victim of discrimination.
For example, the FRA’s recent minorities and discrimination survey showed that only 39 per cent of those minorities interviewed were aware of a law that forbids discrimination against people on the basis of ethnicity when applying for a job.
At the same time, only 20 per cent knew of an organisation that offers support or advice to people who have been discriminated against.
FRA director Morten Kjaerum said, “There is an urgent need for better information.
"Most victims of discrimination are not aware that what is being done to them is illegal.
"At the same time, many do not know how or where to file a complaint. As a consequence, the dark figure of discrimination is extremely high.
"Governments have an obligation to inform everyone of their rights, and ensure access to justice in practice, not just on paper”.
