Fight against racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and intolerance
Reply to Recommendation 1275 (1995)Doc. 7512
3 April 1996COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS
adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 12 March 1996 at the 560th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies
1. The Committee of Ministers shares the preoccupations of the Assembly concerning the resurgence in Europe of intolerance in all its forms, which risks having a profoundly destabilising effect on society. It was indeed this concern which prompted the Heads of State and Government of the member States to adopt, at the Vienna Summit, a wide-ranging Plan of Action to combat these phenomena.
The Committee of Ministers attaches great importance to the European Plan and regularly and attentively follows its implementation, regarding both the work of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), and the European Youth Campaign against Racism, Xenophobia, Anti-semitism and Intolerance, as well as the Intergovernmental Programme of Activities.
2. With regard more particularly to the ECRI, which has done important and constructive work since its creation, it is recalled that, at the 97th Session of the Committee of Ministers (9 November 1995), the Ministers "renewed their encouragement for the work of the ECRI" and "stressed the importance of co-ordination between the Council of Europe and the European Union in the fight against racism and all manifestations of intolerance, including aggressive nationalism, bearing in mind the Council's wider geographical coverage".
In this respect, the Committee of Ministers has consistently striven to avoid any duplication between this work and initiatives undertaken within the European Union. In particular, it has reiterated that, if the European Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia is to be created, it should be a "joint venture" between the Council of Europe and the European Union. The Committee of Ministers will consider the Assembly's proposals concerning the ECRI's terms of reference in due course.
As far as paragraph 6.iii is concerned, moreover, the ECRI has drawn up a detailed report on strengthening Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights on non-discrimination by means of an Additional Protocol thereto. The Committee of Ministers is at present considering the ECRI's detailed report on this question and will keep the Assembly informed of any action it takes regarding this.
In undertaking its work, the ECRI follows a "country-by-country" approach, which consists of making an in-depth analysis of the situation in each of the member countries with a view to drawing up conclusions proposing to the Committee of Ministers formulae to facilitate the solution to problems which arise or to fill gaps found in the various countries. The points raised in paragraphs 7.i to v and viii are covered by this approach.
3. The European Youth Campaign against Racism, Xenophobia, Anti-semitism and Intolerance was launched on 10 December 1994 and has developed a European programme as well as actions at national and local level. The Committee of Ministers follows more closely the implementation of the European programme, which includes training courses for anti-racist youth organisations, pilot projects and major awareness-raising events such as the European Youth Trains and the European Youth Week. These events symbolised the mobilisation of young people throughout Europe and led to a series of follow-up proposals.
Indeed, the Campaign has now entered into its evaluation phase, after which the Committee of Ministers will study carefully the follow-up that should be given, and will inform the Assembly of any decisions that it takes on this question; however, the dynamic that it has created at national and local level should be maintained.
4. In a general sense, with reference to paragraph 6.i, the Committee of Ministers recalls that the European Committee on Migration (CDMG) has, since 1991, undertaken a great deal of work on community relations and the integration of immigrant populations. The basis for much of this work is the report "Community and ethnic relations in Europe", which presents a detailed and comprehensive strategy for building good relations between different groups in Europe's increasingly diverse societies. The 6th Conference of European Ministers responsible for Migration Affairs, to be held in Warsaw in 1996, will discuss progress in implementing community relations policies on the basis of a review of these policies in member States. Racism and xenophobia are also dealt with in the context of other projects being or to be undertaken by the CDMG.
5. With regard to paragraph 6.iv, the Committee of Ministers recalls the reply that it adopted to Assembly Recommendations 1236 (1994) on the right of asylum and 1237 (1994) on the situation of asylum-seekers whose asylum applications have been rejected. Moreover, as far as paragraph 6.v is concerned, the Committee of Ministers draws the Assembly's attention to the supplementary reply adopted to Assembly Recommendation 1203 (1993) on Gypsies in Europe, and in particular to the last paragraph thereof, in which it recalled that a Co-ordinator on Roma/Gypsies responsible for various questions relating to Roma/Gypsies has been designated by the Secretary General, but that it has not seen fit to act on the proposal concerning the appointment of a mediator for Roma/Gypsies.
6. With regard to paragraph 7.i, the Committee of Ministers is convinced that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is a very important instrument and shares the Assembly's concerns as to its rapid entry into force. To date it has been signed by 32 member States and ratified by 4.
7. As far as paragraphs 7.xii and xiii are concerned, it is recalled that the Steering Committee on the Mass Media (CDMM) has set up a Group of Specialists on media and intolerance (MM-S-IN) whose work covers, inter alia, the question of the contribution that the media can make to combating racism and intolerance, including studying means of raising awareness amongst and training media professionals. It is moreover recalled that the 1996 International Federation of Journalists media prize, supported by the Council of Europe and several other bodies, will be presented on 21 March 1996 in Strasbourg, to recognise journalism which raises awareness over racism, and which promotes better understanding of the societies with cultural diversity. The Committee of Ministers would also stress that the majority of existing professional codes of ethics include a provision concerning racial discrimination.
8. Finally, and with regard in particular to paragraph 7.xv, it should be noted that education for tolerance and mutual understanding has been the subject of a wide range of projects and activities undertaken in the context of the Organisation's work on education. An important feature of work in this field, covering such aspects as education for democratic values, education for intercultural understanding and the teaching of history, has been the involvement of both policy-makers and practitioners, as well as non-governmental organisations.