Brussels, 15/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - Strasbourg, 12.02.2008 - On Tuesday 12 February, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), released four new reports examining racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance in Andorra, Latvia, the Netherlands and Ukraine. Despite positive developments, the reports detail continuing grounds for concern for the Commission:
Andorra: Andorra has not yet ratified Protocol N°12 to the European Convention on Human Rights and does not have a detailed and comprehensive body of civil and administrative law prohibiting racial discrimination in all areas.
Latvia: there remain a number of problems as to the full integration of the Russian-speaking population. The number of racially-motivated attacks targeting visible minorities has been increasing and the use of racist discourse, by some politicians and in the media, remains a problem.
Netherlands: the tone of Dutch political and public debate on integration and other issues relevant to ethnic minorities has experienced a dramatic deterioration. The criminal justice system, and notably the police, still needs to enhance its role in monitoring and countering racially-motivated offences.
Ukraine: there have been very few prosecutions against people who make anti-Semitic statements or publish anti-Semitic literature. Members of the Roma community still face many inequalities in areas such as education, employment and housing.
The reports are available in English, French and the national language of the country concerned at http: //http://www.coe.int/ecri (O.J.)