MINELRES: E-NEWS 28/04/03: new ECRI reports on racism released

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: UNITED <info@unitedagainstracism.org>

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UNITED E-NEWS:

ECRI (European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance of the Council
of Europe) released six new reports examining racism, xenophobia,
anti-Semitism and intolerance in Andorra, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Moldova and Sweden. English reports on: 
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/

Forwarded mail from ECRI (English)
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Six new reports on racism

ECRI released today six new reports examining racism, xenophobia,
anti-Semitism and intolerance in Andorra, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Moldova and Sweden.  ECRI recognises that, in all six Council
of Europe member countries, positive developments have occurred. At the
same time, the reports detail continuing grounds for concern for the
Commission.

In Andorra, ECRI notes the absence of certain criminal, civil and
administrative legal provisions in the field of combating racism and
intolerance. A large number of immigrants are in a precarious situation
and the period required for naturalisation of long-term residents is
very long. ECRI is concerned that this situation prevents immigrants
from fully integrating into the Andorran society. 
<http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/>

In Azerbaijan, notions of racism and discrimination appear to be limited
to the most extreme and severe manifestations of these phenomena,
whereas their most common manifestations tend to be overlooked. However,
there are persons who experience direct and indirect discrimination in
daily life in Azerbaijan, including refugees, foreigners, members of
minority religious groups and Armenians.
<http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/>

In Liechtenstein, the issue of a certain interest in right-wing
extremism, particularly among young people, remains an area for concern.
ECRI notes that a clear and detailed mission statement and strategy to
integrate non-citizens and persons of immigrant origin into society
still remain to be fully elaborated and implemented.
<http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/>

In Lithuania, problems of racism and intolerance persist and are
particularly acute vis-�-vis the members of the Roma/Gypsy community,
although they also concern asylum-seekers and refugees, notably Chechens
and Afghans. ECRI observes that the existing legal provisions aimed at
countering manifestations of racism and racial discrimination are not
always adequate to address these phenomena and are rarely applied.
<http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/>

In Moldova, the main difficulty lies in the need to ensure, in a
peaceful manner and in the interest of avoiding future discrimination or
inter-ethnic tension, the coexistence of various languages. ECRI also
notes that because of continuing political and social tension, criminal,
civil and administrative provisions connected with the fight against
racism and racial discrimination are very difficult to implement and
that the Roma/Gypsy community is especially vulnerable in this respect.
<http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/>

In Sweden problems of racism and intolerance persist and particularly
persons of immigrant origin still find it difficult to feel fully part
of Swedish society and remain partly excluded from its structures,
facing discrimination and disadvantage on the labour market, in housing,
access to public places such as restaurants and discotheques, in
education and in other fields. The activities of extreme right-wing
organisations and movements, including acts of violence and the
production of white power music, remain a subject for concern, says
ECRI.
<http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/Ecri/>


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