ECRI report on anti-racism laws in Council of Europe member states

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Subject: ECRI report on anti-racism laws in Council of Europe member states

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Original sender: Isobelle Jaques <[email protected]>

ECRI report on anti-racism laws in Council of Europe member
states


New report published on anti-racism laws in 40 Countries 

STRASBOURG, 11.12.98 - A majority of the COUNCIL OF EUROPE's 40 member
States has no integrated body of legislation to combat racism and
related discrimination, according to new information published today
(14.12.98) in a unique report.

The report, Legal measures to combat racism and intolerance in the
member states of the Council of Europe, provides explanatory
information on constitutional, criminal, civil and administrative laws
on each of the Organisation's member States, together with legal
references in table format. The 587-page report(1) was commissioned by
the Council's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance
(ECRI) from the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law in Lausanne.  

In recent years, new or amended criminal legislation to combat racism
and intolerance has been introduced in some countries. However, the
report reveals that there are still few member States with a
comprehensive body of legislation on racial discrimination, covering
criminal, civil and administrative laws and judicial redress for
individuals.  Such laws would tackle areas where racism is often most
rampant, such as, in access to housing, social services and
employment.

The report points out that there is as yet little specific anti-racist
legislation in new member States from central and eastern Europe,
where the existence of many national minorities has led to priority
being given to laws aimed at protecting the political, cultural and
linguistic rights of national minorities.

Launching the report(2), ECRI Chair Nikos FRANGAKIS stated: "While the
legal arena is only one of those in which the fight against racism
must be waged, it is of paramount importance for several reasons. 
Statutory protection will not only afford a remedy to individuals, but
also constitute a commitment, on behalf of the authorities
responsible, to firm opposition to racism in all its forms.  The law
is a powerful aid to education and the fact that parliament has
branded racism and intolerance unacceptable in the society concerned
sends a strong educational message to the general public."

Notes to Editors:
(1) The report is the third and fullest edition to date. It includes
all 40 of the Council's members states for the first time.
(2) The full text is to be available on ECRI's Internet site -
http://www.ecri.coe.fr - in late January 1999. Copies of individual
country entries are available from the press office.


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 40
member states. 

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