The European Commission recently released a report detailing the progress of the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan 2020-2025, the first of its kind at the EU level. The action plan recognizes that racial discrimination remains an issue with widespread negative societal impacts. It outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at promoting non-discrimination, equality, diversity, and pluralism across the European Union, with targeted measures in key areas such as law enforcement, education, employment, housing, and healthcare. Furthermore, the action plan highlights the need to strengthen existing EU frameworks on equality, non-discrimination, and the combatting of hate speech.
Addressing Individual Racial Discrimination through Legislation
The initial section of the report focuses on tackling racial discrimination at the individual level, primarily through legislative measures. At the heart of this approach lies the Racial Equality Directive, which serves as the cornerstone of EU anti-discrimination law. The Commission highlighted the importance of monitoring the effective implementation of this directive by Member States and has taken steps to sanction non-compliance. Over recent years, 14 infringement cases have been launched, resulting in six Member States achieving full compliance. The Commission has also referred cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union, as demonstrated by its action against Slovakia for failing to adequately address the discrimination faced by Roma children in schools.
To further strengthen anti-discrimination efforts, the Commission proposed measures to empower national equality bodies, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary tools to assist victims of discrimination and enforce anti-discrimination laws effectively. These new rules, which came into force in June 2024, aim to prevent discrimination proactively rather than merely addressing it after the fact.
Criminal Law: Combating Racism and Xenophobia
The report also highlights the Framework Decision on Combating Racism and Xenophobia through criminal law, stressing the need for Member States to fully and accurately transpose its provisions into national law. Since 2020, the Commission has initiated 13 infringement cases against Member States whose domestic legislation did not fully comply with the Framework Decision. These actions are part of a broader effort to ensure that all Member States are held accountable for combatting racism and xenophobia through robust legal frameworks.
Addressing Racism in Law Enforcement
The action plan goes beyond legislative reforms, recognizing the need to address discrimination within law enforcement. Trust in public officials and law enforcement agencies is critical to encouraging victims to report instances of racial discrimination. To this end, the Commission has encouraged studies on racism in policing and has worked closely with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) to provide annual training on hate crimes. These efforts are designed to enhance the capacity of law enforcement officers to identify and address racially motivated crimes effectively.
Combatting Structural Racism
The second section of the report focuses on addressing structural racism, which perpetuates barriers for minority communities. The Commission emphasizes the importance of combating stereotypes, raising awareness of historical injustices, and promoting understanding across different racial and ethnic groups. High-level political engagement and the observance of commemorative events play a central role in this effort, demonstrating the Commission’s ongoing commitment to denouncing racism in all its forms.
A key component of the action plan is encouraging Member States to develop and implement National Action Plans Against Racism. In collaboration with the Commission, Member States have exchanged best practices and policy tools through mutual learning exercises. These national plans are intended to allocate sufficient funding and resources to combat racism at the local and national levels.
Data Collection and Training Initiatives
The collection of reliable and comparable data on racial and ethnic equality is essential for identifying patterns of discrimination and designing effective interventions. The Commission continues to work with agencies such as CEPOL, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to develop training programs for law enforcement officers. These programs focus on raising awareness of unconscious bias and equipping officers with the skills necessary to combat discriminatory practices within their own ranks.
A Long-Term Commitment to Equality
The fight against racism requires long-term commitment and sustained action. The progress achieved so far under the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan is built on close collaboration between the Commission and a broad range of stakeholders, including NGOs, equality bodies, and national governments. The Commission remains dedicated to mainstreaming anti-racism policies throughout its work and fostering a Union where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of racial or ethnic background.
As outlined in the political guidelines for the 2024-2029 mandate, the Commission reaffirms its commitment to building a society free from racism, discrimination, and inequality. The development of an updated EU Anti-Racism Strategy will continue to support Member States in their efforts to achieve a true Union of Equality.