European Commission against Racism and Intolerance publishes its annual report

03/05/2012

Europe's governments urged to act as economic uncertainty prompts rise in racism

 

Strasbourg, 03.05.2012 - European countries must learn to manage diversity or risk losing a rich pool of economic talent, the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has warned in its annual report.

Welfare cuts, diminished job opportunities and a consequent rise in intolerance towards both immigrant groups and older historical minorities are worrying trends emerging from ECRI's country by country visits during 2011, the report reveals. Xenophobic rhetoric is now part of mainstream debate and extremists are increasingly using social media to channel their views, whilst discrimination against the Roma continues to worsen.

The newly elected ECRI chair, Jenö Kaltenbach, said governments needed to learn that anti-racist action was key to building a strong society. "Resistance to racism is essential to preserve Europe's future", he said. (more...)

- ECRI website

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