FIGHT AGAINST RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND INTOLERANCE

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FIGHT AGAINST RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND INTOLERANCE

• Johanna Suurpää
• Ombudsman for Minorities

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Ombudsman for Minorities

• Mandate
• Prevent ethnic discrimination
• Promote good ethnic relations
• Safeguard the rights of ethnic minorities and
  foreigners
• Supervise compliance with the principle of
  non-discrimination

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International Instruments

• An area firmly anchored in international/ EU law.
• CERD (UN Convention on the Elimination of All
  Forms of Racial Discrimination, 173 Parties) art
  1
• In this Convention, the term "racial
  discrimination" shall mean any distinction,
  exclusion, restriction or preference based on
  race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic
  origin which has the purpose or effect of
  nullifying or impairing the recognition,
  enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of
  human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
  political, economic, social, cultural or any
  other field of public life.

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European standards

• EU Directives prohibit direct and indirect
  discriminination and also harassment.
• Directives also call for specialized bodies to
  combat racism and ethnic discrimination.
• Council of Europe Conventions on national
  minorities and minority languages.
• OSCE work against discrimination hate crimes

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Existing concerns in the area

• CERD Committee on the situation of States Parties
  in the Baltic Sea area
• - Racism / internet. Incitement to racial hatred
  gt should be tackled more vigorously
• The access of non-citizens to basic rights
  (labour market, health, education etc.)
• Legal definitions on racial discrimination gt
  sometimes not adequate.
• Monitoring racist incidents not adequate.
• Situation of the Roma

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Conclusions

• It is clear that racist incidents occur in the
  Baltic Sea area. Racist/ hate speech in the
  internet is not rare. Such incidents must be
  properly investigated.
• Involve civil society and build bridges in
  dealing with such incidents promoting good
  ethnic relations.
• All countries should have independent specialized
  bodies against racism/ discrimination.
• Support minority participation media.
• Also deal with other grounds, such as
  discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
  or gender identity.