by Dan Alexe The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) today published its reports on Greece and Norway analysing new developments and outstanding issues, and providing recommendations to the authorities. The ECRI also published conclusions on the implementation of a number of recommendations made to Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg and Montenegro in 2012. Concerning Greece, “despite steps forward – including the enactment of a new anti-racism law – problems persist, including worrying levels of xenophobia and violence against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and the ongoing segregation of Roma children in some schools, in spite of the European Court of Human Rights’ judgements confirming the need to end this practice” said ECRI’s Chair, Christian Ahlund. The report welcomes the introduction in late 2012 of new special police units tasked to tackle racist violence; the appointment of public prosecutors for the prosecution of acts of racist violence in October 2013; and the enactment, in 2014, of a new anti-racism law, which amended existing provisions in the criminal legislation. However, public and political discourse is widely permeated by hate speech against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, who often become targets of racist violence. The report also finds that the activities of the Golden Dawn party increased xenophobia and racism, creating a climate of racial hatred and fear that went unchecked for too long. Concerning Norway, “there are positive developments, such as the inclusion of the right to equality into the Norwegian constitution, but concerns remain, among others the dissemination of racism on the Internet and insufficient assistance to migrants in education and employment,” said Christian Ahlund. On the other hand, neither the public denial of genocide nor participation in groups that promote racism is punishable by law. Statistics do not provide a clear picture of the extent of hate crime, racism on the internet is not systematically monitored and victims of discrimination do not receive sufficient assistance to secure their rights before courts. The report says that the commission charged with drawing lessons from Breivik’s attacks did not address the possible influence of public hate speech on his motivation. The report also finds that by the summer of 2012, xenophobic elements had reappeared in public debate. Assistance to migrants in education and employment also needs to be improved, as well as the legal framework and awareness concerning transgender persons. On the positive side, the report notes that just after Anders Breivik’s hate motivated attacks on 22 July 2011, politicians and journalists in Norway stopped using inflammatory anti-immigrant rhetoric. In the Criminal Code, it has been made clear that hate speech on the Internet is punishable, and the Oslo police have set up a special hate-crime unit. Furthermore, access to kindergarten and education has been improved for children with migration background, and the first ever action plan for improving the quality of life among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons has brought positive results.
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