The rise in racist, xenophobic and extremist discourse in Europe in recent years is of particularly deep concern, says the Ninth activity report of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
A worrying trend during the period from June 2012 to May 2014 is the rise of political parties that rely on anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, anti-Gypsy, anti-migrant and anti-refugee rhetoric, the report notes. These messages, especially when relayed and amplified in mainstream media and social media could pose a direct threat to persons belonging to national minorities who face a heightened risk of harassment and physical attacks.
Issues around education in minority languages and the continuing disadvantages faced by Roma remain among key challenges. In some States the deep polarisation of society along linguistic lines leaves minorities particularly vulnerable to escalating tensions. Besides, national minorities are not homogeneous groups, making communicating with and accommodating them a challenging process.
Although numerous national minority laws have been adopted, States have a crucial role to play in promoting an integrated society, says the report.
