The factsheet outlines key recommendations made by ECRI on the topic of anti-Black racism and discrimination from across its country monitoring reports that were made public over the last 30 years.

ECRI has all too often observed that Black persons and people of African descent continue to face racism and discrimination across Europe. This can take several forms, such as hate speech, hate-motivated violence, inequality in representation, notably in public services, and racial profiling by law enforcement officials. ECRI has also recognised its link to the legacy and negative impact of colonialism and slavery, which have led to deep-rooted racism against Black persons and people of African descent in many European countries.

ECRI has also observed specific vulnerabilities experienced in some countries, for example, by Black persons and people of African descent with a migrant background, Black Muslims, as well as by Black women and women of African descent.

The factsheet outlines over 20 recommendations divided into sections addressing: improving data collection on anti-Black racism and discrimination, raising awareness and strengthening history teaching, supporting the media in bias-free reporting, improving equality in representation, addressing racism and discrimination faced by Black persons and people of African descent in various areas of life, including in sports, tackling hate crime under-reporting, and addressing abusive practices of law enforcement officials.

ECRI remains alert to emerging or persisting issues of a structural or institutional nature that may impact Black persons and people of African descent in particular, as illustrated by its 2020 statement and related observations on racism in policing.

The new factsheet is a tool supplementing relevant texts of a general nature adopted by ECRI. The recommendations can assist member states in designing, implementing, and evaluating measures to address racism and discrimination against Black persons / people of African descent. 

Note: in December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly, in its Resolution 68/237, proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015 – 2024). For more details, see: International Decade for People of African Descent | United Nations