EU report admits racism, ethnic discrimination continue in Europe

Despite the long standing commitments and efforts of EU Member States to counter crimes motivated by racism, xenophobia and related intolerances, these crimes continue to take place across Europe, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said in its annual report released Tuesday. It points out that members of ethnic minorities, migrants, refugees and irregular migrants continue to face discrimination and inequalities in healthcare, housing, education and employment across the EU. "Muslims, one of the largest groups defined by religious affiliation in the EU, frequently fall victim to racist and xenophobic abuse, but evidence of Islamophobia or anti Muslim sentiment often remains anecdotal because few data collection mechanisms record this form of prejudice," FRA noted. The report warns that elements of "extremist ideology increasingly join mainstream political and public discourse in EU Member States". The authorities in five EU Member States published data on Islamophobic/anti Muslim crime in 2012: Austria, Denmark, Finland, France and Sweden. The Austrian authorities reported a decrease in Islamophobic/ anti Muslim crime between 2010 and 2011, while those in France and Sweden reported increases during that period. In Finland, increases were observed for racist and Islamophobic/anti Muslim crimes but a decrease was seen in antisemitic crime. "The EU and its Member States have over the years successfully built a robust fundamental rights infrastructure. However, in many areas, both the EU and Member States can, and must, still do better," said FRA Director Morten Kjaerum, in a statement. "Our latest Annual report shows that the current crisis is also a test for fundamental rights, and has implications for democratic legitimacy and the rule of law," added Kjaerum. The FRA provides evidence-based advice to EU and national decision makers, thereby contributing to more informed and better targeted debates and policies on fundamental rights.