ECRI report on "FYROM", Sweden and Andorra published
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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 19:08:57 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: ECRI report on "FYROM", Sweden and Andorra published
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Jaques Isobelle <[email protected]>
ECRI report on "FYROM", Sweden and Andorra published
For your information:
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance publishes three
more country reports
STRASBOURG, 25.05.99 - Andorra, Sweden and "the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia" are the subject of the sixth series of
country-by-country spot-check reports from the Council of Europe's
European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). All three
reports cover developments in the respective countries until October
1998.
ECRI is publishing reports on all 41 of the Council of Europe's member
States. Each of these reports is followed up for four years.
The reports identify problems and their causes and offer advice and
solutions. They play a key role in the on-going dialogue between the
Organisation and its member States on curbing racism, xenophobia,
antisemitism and intolerance. The reports can be accessed in full on
ECRI's internet site: http://www.ecri.coe.int/en/06/e06010012.htm, in
English and French.
ECRI's specific findings and proposals include:
In Andorra, where the population has dramatically increased in recent
decades and non-citizens now make up almost 80% of the country's
inhabitants, racism and intolerance do not seem to constitute a
serious problem. At the same time, there appears to be very little
legislation dealing expressly with racial discrimination, the
introduction of which would serve as a preventive measure. ECRI also
considers that legislation on nationality - currently 25 years'
residence is required for naturalisation -- should be in line with
European standards.
In Sweden around 20% of the population comes from an immigrant
background. The country is home to three main traditional minority
groups: the Samis, the Tornedalen Finns and the Roma/Gypsies.
Although Sweden's approach to combating racism and intolerance
provides many examples of "good practices", there has been an increase
in racial violence and manifestations over recent years, often
initiated by skinhead and neo-Nazi groups. Antisemitism remains a
problem, as evident from sporadic incidents of vandalism and
violence. Direct and indirect discrimination in the fields of
employment and housing persist, as do difficulties in proving and
remedying it in these and other fields. ECRI considers that there is
a need to ensure a full and consistent implementation of legislation
in force, and to develop further educational and awareness-raising
measures which would enable the majority in Swedish society to
understand and respect the culture and background of minority groups.
The situation in "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" must be
seen in the context of the difficulties posed by the continuing
volatile developments in neighbouring areas. Recent years have seen
positive steps as far as the representation of ethnic Albanians in
public life is concerned, including in government and the judiciary.
At the same time, relationships between different ethnic groups, in
particular ethnic Macedonians and Albanians, are tense, with prejudice
existing on both sides. The Roma/Gypsy community constitutes a
disadvantaged minority. ECRI considers that there is a need to keep
the law on citizenship under review, with special regard to
naturalisation and to the effectiveness of procedures for ensuring its
fair implementation, and to ensure that criminal and administrative
law is applied impartially and implemented in a non-discriminatory
manner.
A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe
promotes democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 41
member states.
__________________________________________________________
email address updates : @coe.int replaces @coe.fr
for more information, http://dct.coe.int/info/emfci001.htm
__________________________________________________________
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