Brussels, 24/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - The economic crisis has led to a rise in racism and xenophobia, mainly against the most vulnerable populations, European human rights bodies deplored on Friday 20 March. In a joint statement, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) expressed concern that the current economic crisis is beginning to fuel racist and xenophobic intolerance. “Our organisations are alarmed by reports indicating an upsurge in violent attacks targeting migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, and minorities such as the Roma”, they say, according to a press release, calling on governments to step up the fight against this phenomenon. Politicians and other public figures have also been invited to “carefully consider their statements to avoid inciting and inflaming ethnic, racial and religious tensions”. The statement goes on to say: “We are concerned that in times of crisis migrants, minorities and other vulnerable groups become 'scapegoats' for populist politicians and the media”. The three agencies finally sound a note of warning against “cutting back essential social protection and inclusion programmes, which can have a disproportional negative impact on marginalised minority and migrant groups already suffering from precarious living conditions”. (B.C./transl.jl)