During his annual exchange of views with the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Europe’s executive organ, on 16 October, Jean-Paul Lehners, Chair of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), highlighted the achievements made by member States during ECRI’s 25 years of existence. He also expressed concern about the many challenges ahead and called for action. “Our continent is still plagued by numerous forms of racism, racial discrimination, hatred and violence targeting vulnerable groups”, he said. “Roma, Jewish, Muslim, Black, homosexual and transgender persons continue to be seriously affected across the continent. The antisemitic attacks in Halle, in Germany, a week ago are just another terrifying illustration of this”, he added.

He presented ECRI’s future plans as set out in its Roadmap to Effective Equality that was unveiled at the end of its high-level 25th anniversary conference organised in Paris on 26-27 September under the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.

Following the exchange of views, the Committee of Ministers encouraged member States to take further steps in the light of ECRI’s Roadmap and to introduce an effective system to ensure the implementation of ECRI’s recommendations.

• decisions taken by the Ministers’ Deputies at their 1357th meeting of 16 October 2019