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BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, April 25, 2002: The latest report from the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) said that racism was on the increase across the continent. With the surprisingly strong showing of far-right politicians like France’s Jean-Marie Le Pen, who will face off in the May 5 presidential polls with incumbent Jacques Chirac, ethnic minorities and immigrants fear they could be in for more difficult times. Apart from violence, threats and intimidation, they charge that racism and discrimination on the continent come in more subtle forms, such as in the labor market and the work place. The Belgian Centre for Equality of Opportunities and the Fight Against Racism said reports of discrimination increased by at least 10 per cent last year, and one-fifth were directed against the public services. But the EUMC does say that there are positive developments taking place in the European Union. It notes that anti-discrimination laws have been introduced and that governments and other agencies have increased efforts to protect minorities and immigrants.

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