MINELRES: EUMAP Call for Papers: Ethnic Data

[Alphia Abdikeeva]

Call for papers

http://www.eumap.org

Ethnic Data: Between Racial Profiling and equal opportunities 

Effective minority policy can only be formulated on the basis of sound information regarding minority populations. Addressing claims of discrimination also calls for reliable data: for example, the EU Race Equality Directive expressly permits the use of statistics in cases concerning ethnic and racial discrimination. The collection of ethnic data, however, raises the old ghosts of racial profiling and discrimination. Indeed, ethnic and racial profiling has sometimes been gathered by State agencies, particularly the police and security bodies, to single out and exclude members of unpopular minority groups under various exemption clauses or unofficially, leading to genuine concerns for personal privacy. However, minorities' justifiable uneasiness and even fear of State collection of ethnically-coded data may be manipulated and exploited. Are the concerns voiced by minority representatives opposed to such data collection too broadly used to justify the absence of proper data showing the disadvantages faced by members of vulnerable groups in different spheres of social, economic, and political life? Do governments have an obligation  to develop appropriate mechanisms of data collection - including safeguards for personal privacy - even in the face of objections from minority communities? 

EUMAP.ORG is seeking articles and opinion pieces on the value of ethnic statistics, and practices and policies to ensure that such is data is accurately collected, protected, and used to combat discrimination and ensure the equality of opportunities of vulnerable minority groups. We invite papers on the general topic of ethnic statistics, touching on law and practice at both the international and state levels, the specific problems across Europe, and how possible abuse could be mitigated, preventing the personal identification of members of minorities by State institutions. Quality papers will be featured on the Program website (www.eumap.org) with the intention of framing and encouraging debate on this issue. Papers should be 1,500-2,000 words. Accepted authors will receive an honorarium of EUR 180.

Papers are invited on the following themes, for submission by 17 March 2003:

- Ethnic data collection: pros and cons. What are the specific benefits - and inevitable problems - of generating ethnically-coded data? How to avoid or mitigate the problems, while maximizing the utility of ethnic statistics in combating ethnic, racial, religious (as well as gender) discrimination? 

- The status of international (including EU) and domestic law and policies concerning gathering ethnic statistics, and the pool of "good practices" from countries that effectively manage to use such data to equalize the opportunities of traditionally disadvantaged groups.

- The role of civil society, including minority non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in both generating and protecting ethnic data. What can civil society do as a watchdog of official data collection policies? And what can it do in using ethnic statistics for equalizing opportunities for traditionally disadvantaged groups?  

- The role of media: can dissemination of statistical information about disadvantages faced by vulnerable minorities be used to further fuel hostility towards such groups? Or can media focus on such issues be an effective tool in both checking the Government's data collection policies, and promoting better awareness and tolerance in the society? 

- Is there anything candidate states can learn from their future European
partners - or vice versa - in developing effective and sensitive mechanisms of generating ethnic data, particularly involving members of minority groups themselves, without running into problems of the abuse or misuse of such data?

Please send papers to: submissions@eumap.org

Contact person: Alphia Abdikeeva


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