Lack of data in FRA Reports on racism and xenophobia in the Member States of the EU
Information collected by the FRA in 2006 points to ethnic discrimination and inequalities in employment, education and housing. An increase in recorded racist crimes has been noted in 8 of the 11 EU Member States that have collected adequate criminal justice data on racist violence and crime over a period of several years. Yet, FRA is unable to present a full picture for all EU countries due to a severe lack of national data. Differences and gaps in recording systems make it impossible to compare numbers between countries. Five of the EU’s 27 Member States did not publish any national criminal justice data on racist crime in 2005 or 2006. The FRA report does, however, offer encouraging examples of good practice in some Member States towards improving criminal justice responses to racist violence. FRA presented its new report to the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Anastasia Crickley, the recently elected first Chairperson of the Agency’s Management Board, noted: “There is progress with regard to putting in place racial equality legislation in most EU countries. Yet, FRA’s report proves that we cannot be complacent. There is ample evidence that racist violence and discrimination persist and in fact are on the increase in parts of the EU. We must guarantee equal rights and protection from violence for everyone – not just on paper, but also in practice. It is important that the new Agency for Fundamental Rights continues to provide the EU with reliable data on the development of racism and discrimination, along with advice on how to develop evidence-based policies to combat such phenomena.”
