Racial hatred on rise across Europe, report reveals

Date: 27/03/03

EUROPE is witnessing its worst outbreak of racism since the Second World War, according to the Centre Européen Juif d'Information (CEJI).

In its annual report, the Brussels-based Jewish campaign group points to a marked increase in race-hate violence across member states.

"There are numerous examples of prejudice, discrimination and hate violence," said Alain Philippson, the organisation's chairman.

More than 400 anti-semitic incidents were reported in France alone in the past year.

Philippson said the CEJI, which seeks to ensure Jewish communities are involved in the EU decision-making process, was deeply worried about the surge in racism and called for a Union-wide campaign to raise awareness of the problem.

Referring to the Iraq crisis, the CEJI report warns that Europe is facing a potentially "pivotal moment in history".

"While the value of cultural diversity is rich there are also conflicts caused by culture clashes that will become more and more difficult to resolve in the future if left unaddressed," it adds.

Europe is witnessing its worst outbreak of racism since the Second World War, according to the Centre Européen Juif d'Information (CEJI). In its annual report, the Jewish campaign group points to a marked increase in race-hate violence across Member States.