Discrimination against marginalised groups a widespread problem in the EU - Main contents

The conference ‘Making Rights a Reality for All’, to be held in Stockholm on 11-12 December, will put the issue of discrimination against marginalised groups on the agenda. Meet Andreas Accardo from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which is arranging the conference in cooperation with the Swedish Presidency.

The conference will have a special focus on some marginalised groups. In what ways are the rights of these groups violated?

"The Fundamental Rights Agency is about to release the results of an unprecedented EU survey, called EU-MIDIS, for which we have interviewed over 23,000 individuals from ethnic minority and immigrant groups about their experiences of discrimination. The results are very sobering. Significant numbers have reported serious difficulties in accessing the most basic services and have faced discrimination in all walks of life. Over a one-year period, 11 percent of North Africans had experienced discrimination when in or simply trying to enter a shop. Almost a quarter, 22 percent, of Sub-Saharan Africans had been subject to discrimination when looking for work. Every second Roma respondent had experienced incidents of discrimination. The discrimination and exclusion faced by many Roma and other marginalised groups is a tremendous challenge to our vision of a European Union where all members of society are treated with respect and can realise their potential. Only if we can guarantee that everybody not only has equal rights, but also equal chances in life, can we honour the values on which the EU is built."

The EU-MIDIS survey on discrimination and minorities will be the basis for parts of the discussions during the conference. According to you, which is the most important result from this survey?

"Most shockingly was the low level of rights awareness among groups most vulnerable to discrimination. For example, 59 percent of Muslims surveyed did not know that there was a law that forbids ethnic discrimination in employment. Only 16 percent of all respondents knew of any organisation that can support people who have been discriminated against. 82 percent of those who were discriminated against did not report these cases anywhere. People do not have access to basic goods and services, and don’t even know that this is a violation of their fundamental rights. They accept unequal treatment as normal, they say it is part of life; but is this the life we want people to lead in the EU? It means that those who discriminate can act with impunity and that a large proportion of our population is treated with injustice."

At FRA, have you seen any signs of the situation for different minority groups being affected by the financial crisis?

"According to the EU’s latest Employment Report, younger men, with lower levels of education, working in manufacturing, have suffered most in terms of job loss in the current recession. Minorities and migrants are over-represented in these more labour-intensive industries. There is a risk that they are pushed into the unofficial labour market where they can be subject to severe exploitation. As countries tighten their belts, essential programmes for education, health care, or social assistance may fall victim to budget cuts - at a time when they are most needed. Here history teaches us a bitter lesson: The most vulnerable in society have often served as scapegoats in such moments. We risk seeing an upswing in extremist ideologies, and also increasing exclusion or discrimination of persons with disabilities or the elderly, or also of women who often are in more precarious employment situations."

What is the biggest challenge to securing the rights of marginalised groups in Europe today?

"Europe can take pride in its human rights standards. With the Charter of Fundamental Rights becoming legally binding on 1 December, we have further strengthened this. However, the best legislation is useless if people do not apply it. In the EU today, we must work on closing the gap between the rights proclaimed on paper and the ability of people to exercise these rights in practice. This requires concerted efforts and targeted policies by actors at all levels to combat discrimination and exclusion. For instance, how will marginalised groups ever emerge from being ‘marginalised’ if they do not have proper access to education? Without access to quality education and participation in the labour market, the situation of these groups cannot improve."

Can you give an example as to how FRA works in order to strengthen the rights of persons belonging to these groups?

"EU-MIDIS is a good example. The survey provides very extensive quantitative data, which the EU did not have before. This data helps to better understand what is needed to combat discrimination and exclusion. Policy makers in the EU can use the FRA’s data to develop more targeted responses, which address discriminatory practices where they occur and improve support structures for victims. The survey has also identified the need to make people aware of their rights and encourage them to report discrimination. As long as only few cases get reported to the authorities, incidents don’t get sanctioned, victims do not obtain justice, and no preventive action can be taken."

What are your expectations for the conference on 10-11 December?

"I hope that, during these two days, we will develop concrete ideas, together with the more than 200 participants from all over Europe, to better protect people in vulnerable situations against discrimination and exclusion. We aim to do nothing less than to put fundamental rights protection for marginalised groups at the centre of the EU agenda. 2010 will be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Has there ever been a more appropriate year to make fundamental rights a reality for all?"