Cultural Diversity and Integration of Immigrants in the European Union

Washington Delegation Press Room

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Statement

European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini

Today, on the occasion of the International Day against Racism, the European Commission restates its condemnation of all forms of racism and xenophobia and its firm commitment to making full use of all its powers to fight them. This task should, more than ever, be a priority at all levels: international, European, national and local. The EU, which by its very nature aims to deepen solidarity and unity between peoples, must be at the forefront of the fight against all forms of racism.

I regret that Member States have not been able to agree on the proposal for a Council Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia, presented by the Commission in 2001. Under this proposal, all Member States would punish racist behaviour by imposing criminal penalties. The Commission is committed to working with the Council and the European Parliament to achieve this objective as soon as is possible. In this respect the Austrian Presidency together with the European Commission and the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia have organised a seminar, to take place on 20-22 June 2006 in Vienna, on the criminal aspects of racism that will focus on discussion of the proposed Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia.

The Framework Decision is however not the Commission’s only initiative in the fight against racism and xenophobia. The Commission has been active in this field for many years. EU policy does not rely on a “one size fits all” approach. We favour a policy mix based on various instruments, in particular the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, which currently monitors and collects data. The Commission has proposed to transform the Centre into a European Agency for Fundamental Rights whose tasks will be to ensure the promotion of and respect for fundamental rights in which context the fight against racism will remain its core task. Other policy instruments include Directive on Racial Equality, various EU funding programmes providing financial support, the promotion of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, and the mainstreaming of anti-discrimination principles across a wide range of EU policies, such as justice, education, youth and external relations.

In November 2005, the Group of Commissioners on “Fundamental Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities” set out a number of measures to strengthen Commission policy in this field. We are committed to ensuring the effective implementation of existing rules, and will examine the problem of racism and xenophobia by public authorities, including the police. A Commission inter-service group on racism will maximise the coherence of Commission initiatives in this field.

Finally I hope that the forthcoming World Cup football championship in Germany this summer will become a festive and sportive event, providing the occasion to demonstrate the values of sportsmanship such as brotherhood, equality and non discrimination that form the foundations of such events.

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