Equality, non-discrimination and racism Hate crime Racial and ethnic origin Religion and belief

Speaker Sirpa Rautio

FRA Director's keynote speech during the European Conference on Antisemitism in Vienna on 6 May 2024. She addressed the high-level panel on 'Antisemitism as the “new normal”? Addressing rising antisemitism effectively at universities and on social media'.

Dear, Minister Edtstadler, President Faβmann, President Deutsch, Ambassador Roet and Ambassador Lipstadt. Dear colleagues, friends and distinguished participants of this important conference. It is an honour to speak here as the newly appointed Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.

For almost two decades, FRA has documented the pervasive and lasting nature of antisemitism. Over such a period, one would have hoped that education, legislation, policies, and compassion would have led to a decrease in this phenomenon. Regrettably, this is not the case, and we, in this moment of profound importance, witness antisemitism increasing, evolving, and anchoring itself in our societies, including online.

The numbers of antisemitic incidents and attacks have reached unprecedented heights in the history of data collection after the Holocaust. In a consultation with Jewish community umbrella organisations, we learned of the stark surge in antisemitic incidents following 7 October 2023, with some organisations reporting increases of more than 400%.

Not only are we seeing numbers increase, but also the nature and intensity of incidents shifting towards more insidious cases of harassment, intimidation, and violence. Organisations use the words ‘fear’ and ‘anxiety’ when describing the sentiments within their communities. We are watching in real time as an already worrisome situation escalates steeply.

Prior to the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023, my agency collected information from 8,000 self-identified Jews in 13 EU Member States, as part of its 3rd antisemitism survey. The information on lived experience, collected between January and June 2023, showed that little had changed. About half of respondents indicated that they cannot live a life free of worry for their own safety and that of their family members. 80% stated that they, on occasion, avoid wearing items that make them recognisable as Jews in public. 4 out of 10 have considered emigrating because they do not feel safe as a Jew where they currently live.

Our societies have normalised the near-constant presence of security at synagogues and Jewish schools- we cannot allow that same normalisation to happen with antisemitism more broadly, including online. We must continue to highlight and call out such incidents, and to prosecute hate crimes. To deny Jewish people the right to live in dignity, free from hate and without fear is a violation of fundamental rights, and should be named as such.

My agency will continue to be your fierce partner in many ways: through our data collection which maintains a focus on antisemitism, through using our work in other areas, such as online content moderation, to identify newer forms of hate crime and through providing the EU and Member States with evidence upon which to base their strategies and actions. Through raising our voices on the need for strengthened Holocaust education and awareness-raising, and through encouraging others, such as political and religious leaders, to do the same. Above all, we will continue to build upon our strong and respectful cooperation with Jewish communities.

Dear friends, we should be dedicating speeches and conferences such as this to discussions on celebrating Jewish life, and on preserving and showcasing the rich Jewish culture we all know exists. However, for now, we must be dedicated to combatting the negative: overcoming the tidal wave of antisemitism and facing the new ways in which hate is manifesting. I pledge my own, and my agency’s support in this endeavour. We must all do more.

Thank you.

Equality, non-discrimination and racism

When: 13 May 2024

Where: Brussels, Belgium

Organised By Council of the EU

External event

FRA will speak to the Council of the EU’s Working Party on Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons (FREMP) on 13 May in Brussels. The meeting will be dedicated to the end of the International Decade for People of African Descent.

It aims to foster an exchange with Member States on progress, gaps and ways to foster inclusion of people of African Descent.

FRA will  present key findings with respect to people’s experiences of racism and racial discrimination from its Being Black in the EU – Experiences of people of African descent. FRA will also emphasise the importance of applying a human-rights-based approach to the collection and use of equality data based on racial or ethnic origin, including the principle of self-identification.

Finally, the presentation will also showcase ways to foster an enabling environment for organisations and actors working on anti-racism and non-discrimination drawing on its work on civic space in the EU.

The European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) has announced the publication of the ENNHRI 2024 Report on the State of the Rule of Law in the European Union. Submitted to the European Commission on 23 April, the report significantly contributes to the EU’s rule of law monitoring cycle.

ENNHRI, uniting over 40 national human rights institutions across Europe, aims to promote and protect human rights throughout the region. It serves as a collaborative platform for these institutions, fostering solidarity and collective action to defend human rights and address related challenges at the European level.

The report addresses the situation in Malta, specifically relating to the establishment, independence, and effectiveness of a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). It highlights that various national, regional, and international stakeholders have urged Malta to establish an NHRI, a recommendation prominently featured during the Universal Periodic Review of Malta.

The report encourages Malta to advance the adoption of legislative amendments swiftly and establish an NHRI in line with the UN Paris Principles.

It also highlights recent progress made by the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, which joined ENNHRI in February 2024. By joining ENNHRI, the Ombudsman’s Office has committed to taking proactive steps towards achieving accreditation as an NHRI compliant with the Paris Principles.

The Ombudsman’s Office has actively pursued the establishment of a fully-fledged NHRI in Malta. It has proposed to the Maltese Government the integration of NHRI functions within its existing framework and suggested an extension of its current mandate to include a broader spectrum of human rights responsibilities. The Ombudsman Act supports this expansion, empowering the Office to address issues related to unjust, oppressive, or improper discriminatory actions by the public administration.

The Office operates with a high degree of independence. It is supported by adequate resources and enjoys financial autonomy, ensuring it can effectively uphold and advocate for expanded human rights responsibilities.

ENNHRI continues to monitor developments in Malta and stands ready to support the member institution and provide expertise on establishing and accreditation NHRIs to relevant stakeholders.

This publication and the ongoing efforts of the Ombudsman’s Office reflect a committed step towards enhancing the rule of law and strengthening human rights protection in Malta.

Documents:

ENNHRI 2024 Report on the State of the Rule of Law in the European Union

ENNHRI 2024 Report on the State of the Rule of Law in the European Union – Malta Chapter

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day 2024, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, issued the following statement:

“Despite a growing awareness of the importance of the press for democracy and of the threats it faces, journalists across Europe face increasing challenges.

Government repression, and a worrying lack of accountability for crimes committed against journalists contribute to a culture of fear and self-censorship. Moreover, the use of vague criminal charges and abusive lawsuits to stifle independent reporting remains a widespread problem. 

Addressing these issues requires police protection for journalists, thorough effective investigations of crimes committed against them, and legislative reforms to protect media professionals from undue pressure. It is also essential to promote awareness and a political discourse that supports journalists. These measures are crucial both for the protection of journalists and to uphold the public's right to have access to information.

An independent, pluralist and ethical press is a public good which serves the public interest. It requires a safe and secure environment. I will play my part in ensuring that journalists can work freely and safely, so that the press can continue to perform its essential role in a democratic society.”