Brussels, 24/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - Fear on the part of victims of reporting racist aggressions of which they are the subject to the authorities, existence of the manifestation of racism in all Member States of the EU: these are the main conclusions of the annual report published, for 1999, by the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia of Vienna (EUMC, see yesterday's EUROPE, p.4). Presenting the report to the press in Brussels, the Centre's Chairman, Jean Kahn stressed the essential role played by the Centre "in denouncing all incidents of racism and discrimination against human beings, in whatever form it takes, on the European territory", and called on people to "unite our efforts and our energy more than ever" in combating these phenomena. This is why, he explained, the 1999 report recommends in particular that the "anti-discrimination rules of Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty be put into practice throughout the Member States, so that all forms of discrimination can be eradicated in the EU (something that is also spelt out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, he stressed) and that violence against minorities be fought." Mr. Kahn appealed on young people of all Member States to "get involved in the struggle", stating: "Our slogan is: all different but equal".
On the same occasion, Graham Watson MEP (British Liberal-Democrat), chair of the Committee on Freedoms, said in particular that: - in a world moving towards globalisation, we shall increasingly have to live together, it is therefore crucial that we learn to live together peacefully and happily; - racism is a serious problem for our continent, six Member States having reported racist crimes in 1999; - the work of the EU in this area needs the backing of all Member States.
Beate Winkler, Director of EUMC, for her part explained that Europe needed precise figures regarding immigration. In the coming years, 50 million immigrants are expected in Europe, she said.. Ms. Winkler stipulated that the 1999 report did not cover populism or the extremism of the right and said that a special report on these two subjects would be presented early-2001, together with a new Eurobarometer survey on conduct vis-a-vis immigrants and minorities. Ms. Winkler observed that "violence is worse than before in France, Germany and Sweden" and that there was an increase in manifestations of racism on the Internet, notably in the field of music, and especially rock music. According to her, "reality is being underestimated, as victims of incidents of discrimination are afraid to speak out, of being excluded and having to leave the country in which they live". She then added, "200 incidents were officially reported in the Netherlands, whereas, according to the "House of Anne Franck", there were between 800 and over 1000. In Finland, 42% of immigrants and members of minorities fear being discriminated against, but only 10% dare complain". Beate Winkler also noted that the definition of the notion of "racist crime" varied according to cultures and, regarding enlargement, she drew attention to the fact that racism and xenophobia being linked to fear, people needed reassuring and "the problem of coexistence broached seriously".
The 1999 annual report is available in English, French and German: EUMC in Vienna. Tel.: +43 1 580 30 0; Fax: +43 1 580 30 99. E-mail: media@eumc.eu.int. Internet: http: //eumc.eu.int.