European Commission on Racism and Intolerance Issues Third Report on Germany
16 December 2004
On June 8, 2004, the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) made public its Third Report on Germany. In its Executive Summary, ECRI noted, "[…] in spite of the initiatives taken, racist, xenophobic and antisemitic violence continues to constitute an issue of concern for ECRI in Germany, affecting particularly asylum seekers, members of the Jewish communities, Roma and Sinti. Members of visible minority groups appear to be particularly susceptible to such violence. […] Antisemitism and Islamophobia, and prejudice and discrimination vis-Ĺ•-vis visible minority groups and Roma and Sinti continue to pose serious challenges." A number of observations and recommendations to German authorities followed, including:
"68. Members of Roma and Sinti communities continue to face serious social disadvantage and to be confronted with prejudice and discrimination, including in some cases blatant direct discrimination, in such fields as employment, housing and education. Roma and Sinti have also continued to be the victims of racist attacks and harassment, and the subject of racist propaganda on the Internet. Desecration of monuments and activities of extreme-right wing groups around Roma and Sinti memorial sites have also been registered. As mentioned below, some media have contributed to the perpetuation of prejudices about this part of the German population and to their stigmatisation. […] Once again, Roma and Sinti who are not German citizens appear even more vulnerable to problems of racism and discrimination. In many cases, their situation is worsened by their status in Germany, as they often only possess tolerated status. […]
74. ECRI recommends that further steps are taken to improve the situation of Roma and Sinti in Germany in order to combat and prevent racism and racial discrimination vis-a-vis this part of the German population. [...]."
The full text of ECRI's report on Germany can be viewed at: The full text of ECRI’s report on Germany can be viewed at: http://www.coe.int.
(ERRC)
