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ECRI general policy recommendation n 1:

Combating racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance

Adopted by ECRI on 4 October 1996

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance:

(...)

recommends the following to the Governments of the member States:

A. CONCERNING LAW, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL REMEDIES

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- Ensure that accurate data and statistics are collected and published on the number of racist and xenophobic offences that are reported to the police, on the number of cases that are prosecuted, on the reasons for not prosecuting and on the outcome of cases prosecuted;

- Ensure that adequate legal remedies are available to victims of discrimination, either in criminal law or in administrative and civil law where pecuniary or other compensation may be secured;

- Ensure that adequate legal assistance is available to victims of discrimination when seeking a legal remedy;

- Ensure awareness of the availability of legal remedies and the possibilities of access to them;

B. CONCERNING POLICIES IN A NUMBER OF AREAS

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- Set up and support training courses promoting cultural sensitivity, awareness of prejudice and knowledge of legal aspects of discrimination for those responsible for recruitment and promotion procedures, for those who have direct contact with the public and for those responsible for ensuring that persons in the organisation comply with standards and policies of non-discrimination and equal opportunity;

- Ensure, in particular, that such training is introduced and maintained for the police, personnel in criminal justice agencies, prison staff and personnel dealing with non-citizens, in particular refugees and asylum seekers;

- Encourage public officials to bear in mind the desirability of promoting tolerance in their public comments;

- Ensure that the police provide equal treatment to all members of the public and avoid any act of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance;

- Develop formal and informal structures for dialogue between the police and minority communities and ensure the existence of a mechanism for independent enquiry into incidents and areas of conflicts between the police and minority groups;

- Encourage the recruitment of members of public services at all levels, and in particular police and support staff, from minority groups;