Racism, discrimination, intolerance and extremism: Learning from experiences in Greece and Hungary
Racism, discrimination, extremism and intolerance currently pose a great
challenge for the European Union. In a new report, the EU Agency for Fundamental
Rights examines the responses of two Member States, taking these countries as
case studies to demonstrate the need for more targeted and effective measures to
combat these phenomena throughout the EU. The report ends by proposing a number
of steps to improve the situation.
REPORT
Today’s publication, a thematic situation report, also addresses a phenomenon
currently unique to Greece and Hungary. This is the significant parliamentary
presence of political parties standing for and promoting an extremist ideology
that particularly targets irregular migrants (in Greece) and the Roma and Jews
(in Hungary), and which are either themselves or have links to paramilitary
organisations committing racially motivated acts of violence.
The EU and its Member States already have strong legislation in place to
fight racism, intolerance and extremism. However, greater efforts are needed to
ensure effective implementation. In addition, more needs to be done,
particularly at local level, to foster social cohesion and increase trust in the
police and other law enforcement authorities.
The overall aim of this report is to provide a better understanding of the
barriers to combating racism and intolerance, and fulfilling fundamental rights
throughout the EU. The proposals contained in the final section of the report
are therefore relevant for all Member States when developing their own
strategies for combating racist discrimination and violence, as well as the
emergence of extremist ideologies on the political scene.
Key proposals suggest that EU Member States:
- Review their legislation to ensure that the formation of associations or
political parties does not serve as a basis for promoting hatred and racist
violence. - Consider adopting national strategies to tackle racist and related crime,
focusing on issues such as how to prevent hate crime, increase reporting,
improve recording, prosecute hate crime offences, and provide effective victim
support. - Explore ways in which trust in law enforcement agencies can be increased among
members of minority groups, and fight ethnic discrimination and racist abuse on
the part of the police and other public officials. One of the principal barriers
to reporting racist and related incidents is victims and witnesses’ distrust in
the police. - Assess the benefit of enhanced penalties in sentencing perpetrators of hate
crime, in order to ensure that the bias motivation behind the offence is always
taken into consideration. - Consider developing exit strategies and programmes for people involved with
extremist groups and organisations. For these to be effective, close cooperation
would be needed between law enforcement agencies, the criminal justice system
and civil society organisations. - Ensure that victim support is provided in close cooperation with civil society
and representatives of minority groups, and facilitate the active involvement of
the police in supporting victims.
FRA’s previous thematic situation reports are available here:
