Strasbourg, 04/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has just published five new reports concerning the situation in:
- Albania: The ECRI notes that the negative prejudices and stereotypes exist notably against the Roma/Gypsies. The large scale corruption that seems wide spread in the public institutions may also lead to an indirect discrimination of which are victims those who do not have relations or the means necessary to have access to public services, basic infrastructures or employment, underlines the report.
- Austria: Most of the legal provisions aiming to fight racism and discrimination do not bring effective protection, notes the ECRI, which also feels that the use of racist and xenophobic propaganda in politics is an issue of grave concern. The behaviour of the police towards people that do not belong to minority groups also raises certain concerns.
- Denmark: The ECRI reveals that the present state of mind with regards to the people of foreign origin (in particular those that are of the Muslim religion or seen as such) as well as the impact and use of xenophobic propaganda in politics are most concerning. The discrimination, notably in the labour market, but also in other areas, such as housing and access to public laces, is also concerning. Most of the legal provisions are ineffective.
- FYROM: The ECRI notes the existence of a climate of distrust between the various communities that have little contact between each other. The member of the minority groups still do not sufficiently take part in public institutions.
- United Kingdom: The ECRI chastises in particular the intolerance shown by certain media and political figures who support the adopting and implementation of increasingly restrictive laws on asylum and immigration. The racist prejudices in the police remain another element for concern.
The ECRI reports are available in English and French on the website: http://www.ecri.coe.int.
