The Malta Group of Amnesty International has expressed concern about what it called “the glaring gap between pledges and actual practice” in what countries do. Not even half of the EU’s members have implemented national action plans against racism, and not one has ratified the protocol that would allow taking to court cases of discrimination, it said. “Malta still lacks a national action plan against racism and even a national integration policy.”

The group said in a statement signed by its PRO Nikki Abela that, as the EU celebrated the Year of Equal Opportunities for All, many would agree that racism was still in our midst and its elimination seemed somewhat unreal as yet.

“We have all heard demeaning comments about those who have done little to deserve it, other than their race or colour. These little things all contribute to people not being able to lead a normal life, sometimes even going as far as to not being able to find a job or rent a house. In fact, an American study shows that skin colour still plays a major role in deciding who lives and who dies in their criminal justice system.

“Xenophobia in Malta seems to be increasing with the increase in the number of irregular migrants arriving on the island. People are scared of what they don’t know, they build up a wall of fear that blocks out understanding. Certain policies that are adopted only reinforce the (often wrong) pre-existing perceptions,” the statement said.

“We have seen what racism has done to Europe in the past; there is a historical responsibility to tackle this issue with utmost priority,” Ms Abela said.

Amnesty International called on the EU to:

• Press for the implementation of the Race Equality Directive and the Employment Equality Directive;

• Upgrade its legislation and provide for equal and effective protection for all grounds and acts of discrimination;

• Legislate to provide effective protection against racist crime and hate speech across the EU, while safeguarding freedom of expression.

It also called on EU member states to:

• Sign and ratify Optional Protocol 12 to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms during this present Year of Equal Opportunities;

• Ensure that national legislation provides equal and effective protection against all grounds and acts of discrimination;

• Adopt, implement and evaluate National Action Plans against racism according to commitments made at the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban.