Presented on 1 June was the annual report of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance: what are the stakes?

06-06-2023

Anouk Pinaud 

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence, 

On 1 June 2023, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published its annual report for 2022. The main issues highlighted in the report are: the challenges posed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, addressing continued discrimination of LGBTI persons as well as the need for supporting civil society actors. 

ECRI is a unique human rights monitoring organization specializing in addressing issues related to racism, discrimination (based on race, ethnicity, nationality, colour, citizenship, gender identity, sex characteristics, etc..), xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance in Europe. Council of Europe member states established the ECRI at their first summit in 1993 and it became operational in 1994. ECRI is composed of 46 members: each Council of Europe member State appoints one person to serve as a member. The organisation's work can be divided into several categories. Firstly, ECRI may address recommendations. These are called “General Policy Recommendations” and are intended for all the governments of all the Member States.  Secondly, ECRI publishes declarations on general subjects which aim to guide States in the fight against racism and intolerance. More recently, since 2020, the organisation has given its opinion on the relevant definitions and questions of terminology relating to racism and intolerance. Therefore, ECRI's work is necessary to combat these trends, which are unfortunately still present in the 21st century.

In this article, we will be focusing on the challenges posed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation carried out a large-scale invasion of Ukrainian territory. ECRI points out that this invasion is accompanied by ultra-nationalist political propaganda. Russia's top leaders have already labelled the leaders of the Ukrainian government as neo-Nazis.  The organisation claims that this comparison sullies the memory of millions of victims of Nazism.
As a result of this aggression, there have been major migratory flows in Europe. On the whole, the States in which people have sought refuge in order to obtain a degree of protection have been able to respond effectively to these needs. However, within the report, ECRI writes that : “Despite the overall commendable manner in which receiving countries catered for people fleeing Ukraine, the terms of protection stipulated in legislation and in administrative decisions varied depending on the citizenship of those fleeing, among whom there were also many who were not Ukrainians and whose terms of protection appeared to be of a far lower standard. Notwithstanding relative legislative provisions, there were also credible reports about unequal treatment linked to ethnicity ». The organisation gives a number of examples of discrimination between Roma and Ukrainians. In its published document, the organisation also refers to the risks and potential consequences of hate speech by Russian leaders. 

The issues surrounding the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia are just one aspect of the work published by the Commission. Indeed, ECRI also covers the fight and the prevention of intolerance and discrimination against LGBTI persons. During this “pride month”, it is essential to remember that while legislative progress and action for better LGBTI equality were observed in some European countries, the backlash against the human rights of LGBTI people continued in some other countries.

Sources and further readings:

Annual Report on ECRI’s Activities covering the period from 1 January to 31 December 2022 : https://rm.coe.int/ar2022-ecri23-16-eng/1680ab5b52 

Council of Europe, Newsroom, Consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine, mixed picture with LGBTI persons’ rights, antigypsyism and shrinking space for civil society - Council of Europe anti-racism body presented key trends in Europe in 2022, 1 June 2023 : https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/full-news/-/asset_publisher 

Council of Europe Portal, Democracy and Human  Dignity, European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) : https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-commission-against-racism-and-intolerance/ 

European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, Council of Europe: https://rm.coe.int/leaflet-ecri-2022/1680a969e9 

Council of Europe Portal, Media Release, Ref DC 115(2023) Consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine, mixed picture with LGBTI persons’ rights, antigypsyism and shrinking space for civil society - Council of Europe anti-racism body presented key trends in Europe in 2022, Strasbourg, 01.06.2023: https://search.coe.int/directorate_of_communications/Pages/result_details.aspx?ObjectId=0900001680ab69ac