ECRI is entrusted with the task of combating
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia,
antisemitism and intolerance in greater
Europe from the perspective of the
protection of human rights, in the light of
the European Convention on Human Rights, its
additional protocols and related case-law
(Article 1 of ECRI’s Statute).
ECRI’s objectives are: to review member
states’ legislation, policies and other
measures to combat racism, xenophobia,
antisemitism and intolerance, and their
effectiveness; to propose further action at
local, national and European level; to
formulate general policy recommendations to
member states; to study international legal
instruments applicable in the matter with a
view to their reinforcement where
appropriate.
ECRI should provide
Council of Europe Member States with
concrete and practical advice on how to
tackle problems of racism and intolerance in
their country. To this end, it examines in
each country the legal framework for
combating racism and racial discrimination,
its practical implementation, the existence
of independent bodies to assist victims of
racism, the situation of vulnerable groups
in specific policy areas (education,
employment, housing etc.) and the tone of
political and public debate around issues
relevant for these groups.