UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RACISM AND EU MONITORING CENTER ON RACISM CALL FOR RESPECT FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN EUROPE

21 March 2005

The following statement was issued by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism of the United Nations Commission onHuman Rights and the European Union Monitoring Center on Racism:

“A vision for Europe can only be a multicultural one based on the respect for diversity and equal rights”, said Beate Winkler, the Director of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, a Vienna-based EU agency, and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Doudou Diène, in a joint statement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March.

Ms. Winkler and Mr. Diène called upon political leaders to continue international and European efforts to eradicate racism and to contribute to building an inclusive Europe that is truly reflective of the ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of its people.

“The multiplication of racist incidents targeting immigrants, minorities and refugees are evidence of a general increase of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia”, said Mr Diène in his report which he today presented to the Commission on Human Rights. Mr Diène warned: “The increase of racism and xenophobia in some European countries, illustrated by continuing racist incidents including violent attacks against members of minorities in recent years, raises the central question of the relationship between identity construction and racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. The EU will need to address this issue.”

“The International Day against Racism provides us with an opportunity to reflect and take stock of the nature of our societies, how far we have come and how far we still have to go to reach that Promised Land that Martin Luther King so eloquently talked about. Ethnic minorities make up an integral part of the European Union’s population and contribute positively to its development and culture. Combating racism brings us closer to the principles that the EU is founded upon – freedom, justice, equality and solidarity. Everyone must have the opportunity to contribute and fulfil his/her potential. This helps Europe to develop and meet the challenges of an interdependent world”, said Beate Winkler.

The EUMC’s annual reports have identified patterns of discrimination at the work place, in the housing market or in the education sector across the EU. The findings can be used to continue building a strong anti-discrimination policy at both EU and national level, which fulfils the equality principles enshrined in EU law.

“Showing determined political leadership against racism and pro-diversity can build on the support of a solid majority of EU citizens”, explained Ms Winkler. As shown by a recent attitude survey, commissioned by the EUMC, 79 percent of people in western and eastern EU Member States have no problem interacting with migrants and minorities.

The United Nations and the European Union are committed to combating racial discrimination. Art. 13 of the Treaty of the European Community sets out the task to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the United Nation’s General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.


Notes to Editors:
Information about the EUMC:
· The European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) was established in 1997 and is based in Vienna. It is an agency of the European Union.
· The primary objective of the EUMC is to provide the European Union and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable data at the European level on racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in order to help them take measures or formulate courses of action. The EUMC also studies the extent and development of the phenomena and manifestations of racism, xenophobia and Anti-Semitism, analyses causes and effects, and highlights examples of good practice in dealing with them. Lastly, the EUMC formulates opinions and conclusions for political decision-makers.
· In December 2003, EU Governments decided to extend the EUMC’s mandate to a human rights agency. For further information see the designated website of the European Commission:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/news/consulting_public/fundamental_rights_agency/index_en.htm

Information about the United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on Racism:
· Doudou Diene, a former Director of the Division of Inter-cultural Projects of UNESCO was appointed as Special Rapporteur by the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2002. He has published many works of a historical and philosophical nature on problems related to inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.
· Mr. Diene's mandate is to examine all incidents which are the manifestations of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. He also looks into measures taken by Governments to overcome such manifestations. He reports to the Commission on Human Rights and the General Assembly annually.