Presseurop |

Terrorism | The price of security (La Repubblica, Rome)

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:37:32 +0100

The failed terrorist attacks over the past few days have rekindled the debate about security in the face of terrorist threats. Whilst several countries are now planning to spend millions on tightening up airport security, jurist Stefano Rodotà warns against the gradual erosion of freedom and democracy in the extended aftermath of 9/11. (Article)

Discrimination | Roma and Africans not welcome

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:07:50 +0100

Times are hard for Europe's minorities. According to a newly published EU-MIDIS survey from the European Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), certain communities suffer more than others in the EU's member states: Brazilians in Portugal, Sub-Saharan Africans in Ireland, North Africans in Italy, Somalis in Finland and Denmark, and Africans in general in Malta. However, as the Irish Examiner remarks, the Roma are the worst affected by discrimination in Europe – a finding that does not come as a surprise – particularly in countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Greece. According to the survey, which interviewed 23,000 immigrants and members of minorities as well as 5,000 other citizens in 27 EU countries, most discrimination takes place at work and in the education system. It also found that the majority of incidents are not reported because there is a widespread belief that "nothing would happen as a result".

(News in brief)

Racism | Racism stats on Austria rocket

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:53:58 +0100

In Austria, Die Presse reports that data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights indicate a 79.5% upsurge in racist violence and 87.5% growth in the number of anti-semitic incidents between 2006 and 2007. "Notwithstanding these dramatic increases, the agency's director, Morten Kjaerum, is reluctant to lambast Austria, because the statistics may be due to the provision of better documentation and greater vigilance on the part of authorities." Four other countries are reported to be experiencing difficulties with violence: Poland, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Throughout the European Union, the main victims are always the same: members of traveling communities and African immigrants. The agency also noted a marked improvement in figures from Denmark, where the number of incidents involving racist violence declined by 63.5%.

(News in brief)