Motion for a resolution | Doc. 12888 | 05 April 2012

Tackling racism in law-enforcement institutions

Signatories: Ms Tina ACKETOFT, Sweden, ALDE ; Mr Robert BIEDROŃ, Poland, SOC ; Ms Gülsün BİLGEHAN, Turkey, SOC ; Mr Jean-Marie BOCKEL, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Félix BRAZ, Luxembourg, NR ; Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Latvia, SOC ; Ms Sahiba GAFAROVA, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Håkon HAUGLI, Norway, SOC ; Ms Athina KYRIAKIDOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Mr Arminas LYDEKA, Lithuania, ALDE ; Mr José MENDES BOTA, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Ms Federica MOGHERINI REBESANI, Italy, SOC ; Mr Alejandro MUÑOZ-ALONSO, Spain, EPP/CD ; Mr Oleksiy PLOTNIKOV, Ukraine, SOC ; Ms Carmen QUINTANILLA, Spain, EPP/CD ; Ms Fatiha SAÏDI, Belgium, SOC ; Ms Luz Elena SANÍN, Spain, EPP/CD ; Ms Gisela WURM, Austria, SOC ; Mr Vladimir ZHIDKIKH, Russian Federation, EDG

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Racism is a plight affecting society at large. Unfortunately, law enforcement officials are not immune to it. Many cases have emerged in recent years, in which the police have failed to perform their duties and have acted in breach of laws and regulations when dealing with people from visible minorities. Similarly, the impartiality of courts has been questioned.

The expression ‘institutional racism’ has been used to indicate ‘the collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin’. It has often been associated with high profile cases, such as the Stephen Lawrence murder in the United Kingdom which has been mentioned in several Parliamentary Assembly reports and statements.

However, cases of institutional racism by the police and the courts that appear in the media, give rise to a public enquiry and result in a court judgment are only the tip of the iceberg. Many more cases are not publicised; the victims are left alone, without adequate assistance and means of redress; the perpetrators enjoy impunity.

The Assembly should address the issue of racism amongst law-enforcement institutions, with a view to identifying best practices in Council of Europe member States on how to prevent this phenomenon and ensure transparency and accountability in the work of law-enforcement officials.

This work would be an important contribution to the implementation of the report Living together in 21st century Europe, as trust in fair and non-racist law-enforcement institutions is crucial to ensure the peaceful coexistence of the many groups and communities which make up Europe’s society.