The European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) is an independent body (agency) of the European Union based in Vienna whose goal is to provide the EU "with objective, reliable and comparable data at European level on the phenomena of racism and xenophobia in order to help them take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence."

The EUMC grew from the Commission on Racism and Xenophobia (CRX), established in 1994, and also known as the Kahn Commission. In 1995, the Kahn the CRX was transformed into the EUMC, which was The EUMC was officially established by Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997. The Center started its activities in July 1998. It currently has 25 staff members.

A new proposal has been brought forward by the Commission to create a Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union. The Agency would replace the EUMC and would have a mandate to monitor human rights and discrimination generally in the implementation of Community law.

Report into rise in anti-semitic attacks in the EU

In 2003 a report labelled ‘Manifestations of Anti-Semitism in the EU 2002 – 2003’^* was published. It catalogued the noted rise of attacks on Jewish businesses, synagogues, cemeteries and Jews themselves. The countries with the most significant number of attacks were Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. It is the only report made by the EUMC on anti-Semitism (in comparison to the three reports published on anti-Islamic attitudes). The final draft of the report is somewhat different to the original, as are the conclusion drawn from the findings. The EUMC conclusions are that majority of attacks are perpetrated by white men. However the original authors conclusions were that the greatest rise in anti-Semitic attaks came from young muslim (immigrant background) and that on balance it was the Muslims who were committing the majority of attacks. These findings were removed from the final EU report because it was felt that the truth perhaps might produce negative feelings towards Muslims.

Report into Islamophobia in the EU following 9/11

The largest monitoring project ever to be commissioned into alleged Islamophobia was undertaken following 9/11 by the European Monitoring Centre for Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC).

From a total of 75 reports – 15 from each EU member nation - a synthesis report was published in May 2002. Entitled "Summary report on Islamophobia in the EU after 11 September 2001" it was co-authored by Chris Allen ^* and Jorgen S. Nielsen at the University of Birmingham, England.

The report highlighted the occasions where Muslims face abusive and sometimes violent retaliatory attacks. Despite localised differences within each member nation, the recurrence of attacks at street level upon recognisable and visible traits of Islam and Muslims was the report's most significant finding: ranging from verbal abuse indiscriminately blaming all Muslims for the attacks; women having their hijab torn from their heads; male and female Muslims being spat at; children being called "Usama" as a term for insult and derision ; and random assaults. The representation of Muslims in the media was also noted. Some medias attempted to differentiate between Muslim terrorists and other Muslims but some did not. Similar concerns about the role of politicians and other opinion leaders was also raised. Within the mainstream of political activity, some political leaders made immediate verbal statements stressing the need to differentiate between 'Muslims' and 'terrorists'. Other countries (such as Portugal) felt that it was more important to condemn the attacks and convey sympathy to the victimes than try and protect Muslims feelings.

The report therefore concluded that, "a greater receptivity towards anti-Muslim and other xenophobic ideas and sentiments has, and may well continue, to become more tolerated" .

References

1. ALLEN, C. & NIELSEN, J. (2002) Summary report on Islamophobia in the EU after 11 September 2001. Vienna: European Union Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia.
2. Ibid, p.43.

External links

• EUMC Website

Racism | European Union | Agencies of the European Union | Anti-Semitism | Anti-Islam sentiment