The European Commission against Intolerance and Discrimination (ECRI) published today new reports on the Republic of Moldova and Portugal.
In the Republic of Moldova, ECRI concludes that hate speech against Roma, LGBT and black communities in the public discourse is escalating whilst the authorities are failing to take a strong public stand against it. The report points out that very few cases of hate speech reach the courts and calls on the authorities to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent it.
ECRI acknowledges that Moldova has made progress in certain areas. The Council to Prevent and Combat Discrimination and Ensure Equality (CPPEDAE) has become more visible and effective in its work, and the Ombudsman has a stronger role, although ECRI recommends strengthening their institutional capacity. The report also recommends scaling up the training for law enforcement officials and judiciary on hate crime, including hate speech.
In its report on Portugal, ECRI concludes that there has been significant progress in LGTB rights and in the education of pupils of migrant origin. The report highlights that same-sex couples had access to joint adoption and assisted reproduction in 2016, and that transgender persons no longer need a medical certificate to obtain gender-recognition or change their first name. Overall, school results of pupils of migrant origin have significantly improved and their early school drop-out has reduced.
On the other hand, ECRI expresses concern about allegations of racist violence committed by a number of police officers and regrets the slow progress in the integration of Roma and Black people, notably the alarming high school drop-out rates. As a matter of priority, ECRI recommends that the authorities ensure that all Roma children rigorously attend compulsory schooling up to the age of 18 years, that there are no cases of illegal forced evictions and that legal evictions comply with international standards.
- Read press release - Republic of Moldova: Hate speech against Roma, LGBT and black communities is growing, warns Council of Europe anti-racism commission
- Read press release - Council of Europe anti-racism body issues report on Portugal: significant progress, but concern about allegations of racist violence of the police and school drop-out of Roma
