Urges further steps against discrimination

The Council of Europe has suggested that steps be taken to combat certain incidents of discrimination in Malta in a new report which has just been published on four member states, but also said that a number of positive developments had occurred.

"In Malta, certain incidents of discrimination, inter alia in access to public places such as discotheques and bars, as well as prejudices and stereotypes within society, suggest that further steps have to be taken, both to combat concrete manifestations of discrimination and to raise awareness and combat prejudices among the general public," the report said.

The report was drawn up by the CoE's expert body on combating racism, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), which released four new reports examining racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance in Finland, Latvia, Malta and the Ukraine.

In Malta's case, ECRI stressed the importance of combating stereotypes and prejudices since "such latent phenomena" may lead to more overt forms of racism and discrimination.

"ECRI recognises that in all four Council of Europe member countries positive developments have occurred. At the same time, the reports detail continuing grounds for concern for the Commission," it said.

Malta seemed to fare better than the other three member states.

The report noted that in Finland there was a certain level of prejudice and intolerance towards those who are different from the majority, which is expressed as discrimination in a number of fields, including employment, housing and access to public places, as well as in instances of harassment and sometimes racial violence.

In Latvia, problems appear to remain with regard to the situation of the Russian-speaking population, many members of whom are still non-citizens. These people risk exclusion and marginalisation from social structures and the decision-making processes.

In the Ukraine, problems of racism and direct and indirect discrimination particularly affect formerly deported people, Roma/Gypsies, immigrants with or without legal status, asylum-seekers and refugees. These people experience difficulties in various areas of life, including relations with the police.

The four new reports form part of a second cycle of monitoring of Council of Europe member states' laws, policies and practices in order to combat racism.