Brussels, 06/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Under Turkish presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Turkey are holding on 10 and 11 January, in Ankara, a seminar on the theme of “the fight against discrimination based on racial, ethnic, religious or other bias”.
National and international experts will examine the implementation of ECRI recommendations to combat such discrimination. Discussion will cover the exchange of information, experience and ideas on the ECRI mandate. Ways to increase synergies between ECRI and its international partners will also be studied.
Work will therefore be in four areas: (1) ECRI and its international partners: cooperation and synergies (proposed improvements, application of common standards in Europe, directives on equality and EU decision framework); (2) freedom of speech and the fight against racism and racial discrimination - the way forward (the question of freedom of expression and balancing of rights involved); (4) combating discrimination: new challenges (A new resurgence of anti-Gypsyism in Europe?, combating discrimination against LGBT persons, combating religious discrimination, and, integrated societies).
ECRI President Nils Muiznieks will introduce and close the work. Participants include Birnur Fertekligil, Ambassador and Deputy Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs (Turkish Foreign Ministry); Kristina Pardalos, Judge, European Court of Human Rights; Githu Muigai, UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Ilze Brands Kehris, Chairperson of the Management Board EU Fundamental Rights Agency; Gün Kut, Member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and member of ECRI; Floriane Hohenberg, Head of the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department (ODIHR); and Pia Lindholm (DG Employment, Social Affairs, Equal Opportunities, European Commission). (Com-G.B./transl.jl)