EU countries knocked for record on racism

Europe is failing to deliver practical action aimed at fighting racism, according to a report from the EU’s fundamental rights agency (FRA).

Anastasia Crickley, chair of the agency, said that member states had to do more to ensure genuine protection through these regulations.

“There is patchy implementation of the EU’s anti-discrimination legislation,” she told journalists on Tuesday.

“This legislation has huge potential and we urge member states to recognise this potential and to implement this legislation more effectively.”

The Vienna-based FRA was established in 2007 following the adoption of the European convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The annual report for 2008, released on Tuesday, is the agency’s first, and deals exclusively with racism and xenophobia in the EU.

Crickley went on to criticise the lack of information available from member states about racist incidents. “Member states need to acknowledge the persistent need for enhanced data collection in this area,” she said.

“You can’t protect people nor find redress unless you’re aware of the problems you’re dealing with.”

FRA director Morten Kjaerum said that he hoped the FRA’s reports would encourage the EU institutions to take more effective action.

“If we put convincing evidence on the table that legislation is not being effectively implemented, I hope that the European commission and the other institutions will take the necessary steps,” he said.

The FRA says that subsequent reports will deal with additional areas such as sex and religious discrimination, visa control, rights of the child and data protection.

• Previous article
• Next article