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The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) today issued a joint call on governments, intergovernmental organisations and civil society to intensify efforts in addressing racism and xenophobia.

As we commemorate today the tragic events of 1960 in Sharpeville and the 40^th anniversary of the entry into force of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, we are concerned that the current economic crisis is beginning to fuel racist and xenophobic intolerance across the region.

Our organisations are alarmed by reports indicating an upsurge in violent attacks targeting migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, and minorities such as the Roma. Europe's history demonstrates how economic depression can tragically lead to increasing social exclusion and persecution. We are concerned that in times of crisis, migrants, minorities and other vulnerable groups become `scapegoats' for populist politicians and the media.

Such `scapegoating' has already led to increased hostility and incidents of violent hate crime against minorities and migrants in some countries. As the economic crisis deepens, there is a great need for politicians and other public figures to carefully consider their statements to avoid inciting and inflaming ethnic, racial and religious tensions.

All forms of intolerance must be addressed head-on in an even-handed and balanced manner, guaranteeing protection from human rights violations for everybody in society. All acts of hate crime have a far-reaching impact on victims and their communities and require equal attention and commitment when being addressed.

We, the signatories of this statement:

• call on political leaders and other public figures to speak out against all forms of violence motivated by racial hatred or xenophobia, and to act responsibly and refrain from providing simplistic explanations with racist, xenophobic or anti-Semitic connotations to complex social, political and economic problems or phenomena;
• encourage governments to provide specific training to law enforcement personnel, prosecutors and the judiciary in order to enhance their effectiveness in dealing with racist, xenophobic and other hate crimes;
• call on governments to co-operate closely with civil society in the monitoring of racist, xenophobic and other hate crimes, and intensify their efforts to collect data and statistics on such crimes and incidents;
• emphasize that governments must ensure that victims of discrimination and hate crime have access to effective remedies to address grievances. Human rights institutions, specialized bodies and victim support organisations must be granted sufficient independence, adequate resources and strong competences to help advance the combat against discrimination.
• warn against cutting back essential social protection and inclusion programmes, which can have a disproportional negative impact on marginalized minority and migrant groups already suffering from precarious living conditions.

Ambassador Janez Lenarcic
Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Humman Rights (ODIHR)

Anastasia Crickley
Chairperson of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

Morten Kjaerum
Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

Eva Smith Asmussen
Chair of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe