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Three councils did not use €24m for Traveller housing

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:37:32 GMT

Latest figures released by the Department of Environment revealed the under-spend of budgets allocated to Traveller accommodation by local authorities – most notably Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and Cork County Council – by over €50 million in the period between 2007 and 2012. Jan O’Sullivan, Minister of State for Housing and Planning at the Department of the Environment, has acknowledged the issue in saying that she intends “to discuss [the issue] with officials and I intend to seek the experience of local authorities when examining the issue also.”

Travellers’ support groups have criticised local authorities blaming officials “for opposing halting sites and group housing schemes [which were] often built without proper consultation with Travellers.” “Colette Spears of the Irish Traveller Movement maintains that “[t]here is a pattern of assimilation with the move into standard housing. A culture is being killed off and the knock-on effects are huge amounts of mental health issues for Travellers.”

Local authorities were also criticised by the ECRI Report on Ireland released on 19 February 2013 for “’lack of political will on the part of local authorities’ in delivering Traveller housing.” Further, Ronnie Fay of Pavee Point raises concern as to the only obligation of councils being at present was to “publish plans for Traveller accommodation. They don’t have to implement them.”

Local authorities, however, countered the findings in maintaining that there was a drop in demand for Traveller-specific accommodation but rather, standard “social housing. Traveller women in particular are looking for better accommodation where it is easier to heat” says Hugh Hogan, senior executive officer of housing of South Dublin County Council.

Clare County Council defends its decision to “stop building Traveller-specific housing because of high vacancy rates due to ‘inter-Traveller feuding, violence and intimidation.’”

Source:

Irish Times (2013). Three councils did not use €24m for Traveller housing. Accessed 25 February 2013, at http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2013/0225/1224330478935.html

Attacks target Finglas immigrants

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:02:07 GMT

Since January 2013, residents of Balseskin Reception Centre for newly arrived asylum seekers in Finglas, Dublin, have repeatedly been attacked with missiles of metal and stones. The missiles were thrown out of the window of the same drive-by car with a number of unidentified males as passengers. One resident was "hit on the back of his head" while another one had to be hospitalised following the attack. A spokesperson for the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) described the attacks as "very upsetting to the immigrants who are afraid to leave the centre as a result ... [i]t’s very sad and quite shocking that these vulnerable refugees are being targeted and attacked in this way ... [t]hey are scared but are reluctant to talk because there is a sense of fear that their applications might be affected if they speak out or complain in any way."

Following the attacks, a clinic was held by local Gardaí to speak with the residents and flyers have been distributed near the hostel to obtain information on the attacks. The incidents are currently under investigation by Gardaí and CCTV material is being scrutinised. According to its spokesperson, the Department of Justice is also aware of the incidents.

Sources:

Irish Times (2013). Attacks target Finglas immigrants. Accessed 19 February 2013, at: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2013/0214/breaking1.html
Dublin People (2013). Refugees targeted by gang. Accessed 18 February 2013, at http://www.dublinpeople.com/article.php?id=2110&l=100

Absence of migrant family law criticised

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:30:41 GMT

Two High Court judges criticised the absence of a clear law on family reunification in Ireland at a conference by the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) stating that "consequent judcial reviews" were very time consuming "wasting State resources". The ICI's CEO Denise Charlton further argued that the absence of clear guidelines left applicants "unaware of the criteria on which their claims would be judged, which led to more appeals upon rejection which was very costly to all parties."

Source:

Irish Times (2013). Absence of migrant family law criticised. Accessed 20 February 2013 at: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2013/0215/1224330058997.html#.UR4B8-uTe3o.facebook

MP of African descent became the target of racial slur

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:00:00 GMT

MP John Godson, the first Polish parliamentarian of African descent, became the target of racial slur when he voted against the draft laws legalizing civil unions, including same-sex partnerships. One of the bills was prepared by the Civic Platform, i.e. the party of which Mr. Godson is a member. Justifying his decision, the MP explained that he believes homosexuality is a sin, because it is written so in the Bible. A very popular meme also appeared on the Internet presenting a photo of the MP and an inscription stating “Mr. Godson didn’t vote in support of civil unions, because he's afraid that this could trigger an avalanche effect of liberal changes, which would not be good. If it was not for an avalanche of liberal changes, Mr. Godson would be picking cotton for the suits of other MPs.” The case sparked a lively social debate, and finally Robert Biedron, a parliamentarian openly admitting his homosexuality, and in the past the president of the Campaign Against Homophobia, stepped up in defense of Mr. Godson. As a result, both MPs called for mutual respect in public discourse.

Source:

Newsweek, 07.02.2013, Premier nie kazał mi przepraszać homoseksualistów (Prime minister did not ask me to appologize homosexuals), http://polska.newsweek.pl/godson--premier-nie-kazal-mi-przepraszac-homoseksualistow,101218,1,1.html, Accessed on 12.02.2013.

Council of State declares unconstitutional 2010 Greek Citizenship Law

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:20:12 GMT

The Council of State (Supreme Administrative Court) has decladed unconstitutional the law on acquiring Greek citizenship voted in 2010. "As a result of the final decision of the plenum of the supreme judicial institution, all procedures granting Greek citizenship after the enactment of the law in 2010 until today are expected to be cancelled. The law entitled the children of immigrants who were born in Greece and studied at a Greek school for six years to Greek citizenship. Along with this, the results of local elections in the municipalities where immigrants from non-member countries of the European Union voted are likely to be revised under the same law again. In the reasoning for its decision, the senior judiciary states that the provisions of the law are contrary to the Constitution because the conditions for the acquisition of Greek citizenship regulated by them are formal and insufficient. They are related to the applicant or his family’s time of residence in Greece, the attendance of a Greek school for a certain period of time and a clean criminal record. According to the Supreme Administrative Court, the most significant gap in the law is that it does not provide for a procedure to demonstrate the relationship of the applicant with the Greek nation. Furthermore, the magistrates add that the Constitution entitles only Greek citizens to vote and run in elections. Therefore, it is not possible for people who are not Greek citizens to be entitled to it without making the relevant amendments being made to the Constitution." [1]

The Ragousis Law (Law n.3838/2010), named after former Interior Minister Yannis Ragousis

- permits voting rights to local elections to second-generation immigrants (Art.14);

- introduces jus soli by granting automaticallty Greek citizenship to children born in Greece if at least one parent is also born in Greece (Art. 1);

- grants Greek citizenship to persons being born to immigrant parents that have been living in Greece legally for five years if they have studied at a Greek school for at least six years (Art.1A). [2]

The last provision (Art.1A) was questioned by the Council of State, which questioned in a ruling "whether these criteria were suitable for deciting a person's citizenship and wheter stronger ties with Greece should be required". Furthermore, the Council of State "deemed unconstitutional the part of the law [Art.14] that allows non-Greek citizens to vote and stand as candidates in local and regional elections", adding that a consitutional review is necessarey for the application of this legislation. However, the ruling does not automaticaly lead to repeal of the law, since it could be appealed at the Supreme Court [3].

Representatives of second-generation immigrats denounced the decision of the Council of State. Nikodimos Maina Kiniua from African organization ASANTE said: "The relationship between immigrants and Greek society can be obtained only through the children of immigrants who are born here. The court's decision is based on the right of blood. They do it in order to limit the cases of granting citizenship to immigrants. But they should know that second-generation immigrants have no intention either to leave here, or to make concessions in terms of their rights" [4].

Greek Ombudsman has declared that the suspension of the Citizenship law is illegal [5].

Sources:

GRReporter, 6.2.2013, The Supreme Court cancels the law on the acquisition of Greek citizenship, http://www.grreporter.info/en/supreme_court_cancels_law_acquisition_greek_citizenship/8683, Accessed on 7.2.2013.
Government Gazette of Greece, 24.03.2010, Law N.3838, Current provisions for Greek citizenship and political participation expatriated and regally residing immigrants and other settings, http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/24e0c302-6021-4a6b-b7e4-8259e281e5f3/N_3838_1.pdf, Accessed on 23.11.2012.
Kathimerini English Edition, 13.11.2012, Court casts doubt over migrant citizenship law, http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_13/11/2012_469868, Accessed on 23.11.2012.
GRReporter, 20.11.2012, Immigrants will sue Greece for attacks by Golden Dawn, http://www.grreporter.info/en/immigrants_will_sue_greece_attacks_golden_dawn/8175, Accessed on 23.11.2012.
Lawnet, 6.12.2012, Παράνομη η αναστολή του νόμου περί ιθαγένειας, σύμφωνα με τον Συνήγορο του Πολίτη (Illegal suspension of the law on citizenship, according to the Ombudsman), http://www.lawnet.gr/news/paranomi-i-anastoli-tou-nomou-peri-i8ageneias-sumfona-me-ton-sunigoro-tou-politi-28172.html, Accessed on 24.2.2013.

The European Committee for Social Rights condemns France for the violation of Roma rights

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:06:04 GMT

The European Committee for Social Rights examined several complaints concerning discrimination of the Roma population in access to housing and their expulsions carried out by the French government without any lasting solution on the settling and residence conditions. The Committee concluded that there were violations of the Revised Charter in following cases:

- European Roma Rights Center/France, Complaint 51/2008, Decision on the merits adopted on 19 October 2009. The Committee concluded unanimously that there were a violation of Article 31§1 on the ground of the failure to create a sufficient number of stopping places, poor living conditions at these sites, lack of access to housing for settled Travellers; a violation of Article 31§2 on the ground of the eviction procedure and other penalties.

- COHRE/France, Complaint 63/2010, Decision on the merits adopted on 28 June 2011. The Committee concluded unanimously that the conditions in which Roma families were evicted from their homes constituted a violation of article E (non discrimination) in conjunction with articles 31§2 (right to housing - reduction of homelessness) and 19§8 (guarantees concerning deportation).

- European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF)/France, Complaint 64/2011, Decision on the merits adopted on 24 January 2012. The Committee found a violation of Article E (non discrimination) in conjunction with article 19 § 8 (guarantees concerning deportation), 30 (right to protection against poverty and social exclusion), 31 §§1, 2, 3 (right to housing), 16 (right of the family to social, legal and economic protection).

- Médécins du Monde International/France, Complaint No. 67/2011, Decision on the merits adopted on 11 September 2012.The Committee concluded unanimously on a violation of Article E in conjunction with Article 31§1, 30 and 16 because of a too limited access to housing of an adequate standard and degrading housing conditions for migrant Roma lawfully resident or working regularly in France; Article E in conjunction with Article 31§2 and 19§8 because of the eviction procedure of migrant Roma from the sites where they are installed; Article E in conjunction with Article 31§2 because of a lack of sufficient measures to provide emergency accommodation and reduce homelessness of migrant Roma; Article E in conjunction with Article 17§2 because the French education system is not sufficiently accessible; Article E in conjunction with Article 11§1 because of difficulties of access to health care for migrant Roma, whatever their residence status, with Article 11§2 because of a lack of information and awareness-raising and of counseling and screening on health issues towards migrant Roma, with Article 11§3 because of a lack of prevention of diseases and accidents of migrant Roma; Article E in conjunction with Article 13§1 and § 4 because of a lack of medical assistance.

Sources:

European Roma Rights Center v. France, 06.05.2008, Complaint 51/2008, http://www.errc.org/cms/upload/media/03/C4/m000003C4.pdf, Accessed on 31.01.2013.
European Committee of Social Rights, 19.10.2009, Decision on the merits, http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/complaints/CC51Merits_en.pdf, Accessed on 31.01.2013.
COHRE v. France, 16.11.2010, Complaint 63/2010, http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/complaints/CC63CaseDoc1_en.pdf, Accessed on 18.02.2013.
European Committee of Social Rights, 28.06.2011, Decision on the merits, http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/complaints/CC63Merits_en.pdf, Accessed on 31.01.2013.
European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) v. France, 01.02.2011, Complaint No. 64/2011, www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/complaints/CC64CaseDoc1_en.pdf, Accessed on 31.01.2013.
European Committee of Social Rights, 24.01.2012, Decision of the merits, http://www.coe.int/T/DGHL/Monitoring/SocialCharter/Complaints/CC64Merits_en.pdf, Accessed on 07.01.2013
Médécins du Monde International v. France, 16.05.2011, Complaint No. 67/2011, http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/socialcharter/Complaints/CC67CaseDoc1_en.pdf, Accessed on 31.01.2013.
European Committee of Social Rights, 11.09.2012, Decision on the merits, https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1980783, Accessed on 31.01.2013.

Draft laws on civil unions rejected

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:00:00 GMT

At the end of January 2013, the Sejm (Lower House of Parliament) rejected all three draft laws on civil unions, which were also supposed to legalize same-sex partnerships. The bills also included one that was drafted by the ruling party, which was voted down inter alia by several of its own members. They included the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment and Justice Minister Jaroslaw Gowin. Speaking from the Sejm pulpit the latter stated that civil unions are unconstitutional. The Prime Minister distanced himself from this statement, saying that this was a personal opinion expressed by Jaroslaw Gowin and not the Government. The party’s authorities did not draw any consequences against the members who voted down their own party’s bill.

Source:

Wyborcza.pl, 30.01.2013, Kiedy wrócą związki partnerskie? (When will the partnership unions came back?), http://wyborcza.pl/1,76842,13319354,Kiedy_wroca_zwiazki_partnerskie_.html, Accessed on 12.02.2013.

Competition of anti-Semitic and racist jokes on Twitter

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:00:00 GMT

On October 2012 a doubtful competition of anti-Semitic jokes using the keyword # unbonjuif (a good Jew) took place on Tweeter. The social network withdrew these tweets, but other ones appeared such as # unbonnoir (a good Black) and # sijetaisnazi (if I was a nazi). The association “Union of Jewish Students of France” and other NGOs filed a complaint and the tribunal (TGI de Paris) ordered the Tweeter to communicate identification data of the tweets’ authors. The tribunal also ordered the social network to set up an easily accessible and visible device allowing users to report illegal content, including falling within the scope of the apology of crimes against humanity and incitement to racial hatred.

Sources:

Le Monde, 14.10.2012, #UnBonJuif : un concours de blagues antisémites sur Twitter (# AgoodJew: a competition of anti-Semitic jokes on Twitter), http://www.lemonde.fr/technologies/article/2012/10/14/unbonjuif-un-concours-de-blagues-antisemites-derape-sur-twitter_1775233_651865.html, Accessed on 23.10.2012
Liberation, 24.01.2013, #unbonjuif : Twitter sommé d’agir (# AgoodJew: Twitter ordered to act), http://www.liberation.fr/medias/2013/01/24/unbonjuif-twitter-somme-d-agir_876619, Accessed on 31.01.2013

Fianna Fáil councillor criticised for anti-Traveller comments

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:58:27 GMT

Fianna Fáil (FF) Councillor Sean McEniff of Donegal County Council was critcised for stating on the Ocean FM radio station that whilst not being racist or bigoted, he was stating "facts" and believed that “there should be an isolated community of them some place – and give them houses and keep them all together” and further, that "[y]ou wouldn’t want it beside you nor I wouldn’t want it beside me [as they] wreck homes” he told the station.

His statement - made in the context of Donegal County Council's plans to provide Travellers with a house in Ballyshannon costing over €230,000 - was not backed by his own party saying that he was “expressing a personal opinion. Fianna Fáil is committed to equality and has done more than any other political party to advance the cause of travellers’ rights over the last decade.” Further, Sinn Féin TD for Donegal North East Pádraig Mac Lochlainn demanded for FF to take disciplinary action against McEniff as "[a]nti-traveller racism in all forms is unacceptable in Ireland, and it is mind boggling to think that Councillor McEniff would think ethnic slurs are tolerable."

Source:

Christine Bohan (2012). FF Councillor Criticised for anti-Traveller Comments. Accessed 18 January 2013 at: http://www.thejournal.ie/fianna-fail-councillor-sean-mceniff-traveller-comments-758655-Jan2013/

Pakistani immigrant stabbed to death for not conceding road priority

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 01:00:00 GMT

A 27 year-old Pakistani immigrant was stabbed to death on Thursday, January 17^th 2013 at 03:00 by two (2) Greeks on a scooter, because he blocked their road with his bicycle. According to the testimony of a taxi driver, the two perpetrators approached the victim from behind and attacked him with a knife. Perpetrators, aged 24 and 28 years old, told the police that they stabbed him because he was blocking their road with his bicyle [1].

Police investigation revealed two (2) knives (butterfly daggers) carried by the perpetrators, while in searches conducted in their houses police found three (3) butterfly daggers, one (1) knife, one (1) black blade with special grip, one (1) air pistol, one (1) brass knuckle, numerous metal beads, two (2) military rifle bullets, two (2) wooden bats and one (1) sling. Police also found fifty (50) election leaflets of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party in the house of the 24 year-old perpetrator [2].

The Greek section of Amnesty International said in a press release that the murder of the Pakistani shows the inneffectivenes of the Greek authorities to combat racist violence. Marek Marczynski, Program Director of Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia, said: "this attack is not an isolated incident. The last year we have noted an escalation of racially motivated attacks [3].

Sources:

iefimerida, 17.01.2013, Έλληνες μαχαίρωσαν και σκότωσαν Πακιστανό στα Πετράλωνα (Greeks stabbed and killed Pakistani in Petralona), http://www.iefimerida.gr/print/86258, Accessed on 18.01.2013.
imerisia, 17.01.2013, Φυλλάδια της Χρυσής Αυγής στα σπίτια των δολοφόνων του Πακιστανού ( Golden Dawn brochures in the houses of the killers of the Pakistani), http://www.imerisia.gr/article.asp?catid=26510&subid=2&pubid=112979932, Accessed on 18.01.2013.
Amnesty International - Greek Section, 17.01.2013, Press Release: H δολοφονια αλλοδαπου δειχνει την αποτυχια της ελλαδας να αντιμετωπισει τη ρατσιστικη βια (The foreigner's murder shows Greece's failure to combat racist violence), http://www.amnesty.org.gr/η-δολοφονία-αλλοδαπού-δείχνει-την-απο, Accessed on 18.01.2013.

Extremist group proposes to pay Roma women who get sterilized

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:00:00 GMT

In January 2013 a group called the Autonomous Nationalists from Timişoara, apparently linked with similar movements in Europe (primarily Germany) but also with a very nationally inspired character from the inter-war period, [1] published on their blog that: “We offer a reward of 300 lei [around 65-70 euro] to every Gipsy woman from the area of Banat, who can prove that she voluntarily submitted to a sterilization surgery in 2013. If they cannot educate their offspring to no longer be a burden on the Romanian society, we offer to them GUARANTEED 300 lei for the voluntary sterilization surgery done in 2013.” The “Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of Holocaust in Romania, the Roma Center for Social Intervention and Studies – Romani CRISS and the Center for Monitoring and Combating AntiSemitism in Romania – MCA Romania issued a press statement vehemently condemning the manifestations of this group, considering such manifestations fall under the criminal legislation and asking authorities to take legal measures for such posts to no longer be possible. Romani CRISS and MCA Romania said they would file a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office. The statement also detailed the objectives of the group such as: “urgently solving the gypsy problem; conserving the racial genotype, the genetic patrimony inherited from our ancestors, as an integral part of our identity; dismantling the guilt cult connected to the so-called ‘holocaust’ which would have taken place in Trasnistria; putting a stop to teaching in public schools on the “holocaust” until the objective clarification of that period; total opposition towards multiculturalism and mixing.”[2] After the statement of the NGOs and the Wiesel Institute, the police, under the coordination of the Timişoara Prosecutor’s Office, according to the media, was conducting searches and questioning in the case. The blog was deleted as soon as the condemning statement appeared. [3]

Sources:

William Totok, “Cine sunt naţionaliştii autonomi din Timşoara?” [“Who are the autonomous nationalists from Timişoara?”], in RFI Romania, 14.01.2013, available at: http://www.rfi.ro/articol/stiri/politica/cine-sunt-nationalistii-autonomi-timisoara (accessed at: 27.01.2013)
The “Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of Holocaust in Romania, the Roma Center for Social Intervention and Studies – Romani CRISS and the Center for Monitoring and Combating AntiSemitism in Romania – MCA Romania, Press statement. The sterilization of Roma women – a serious assault on the fundamental values of democracy, 10.01.2013, available at: http://www.romanicriss.org/PDF/Comunicat%20de%20presa%20sterilizarea%20femeilor%20rome.pdf (Accessed at: 27.01.2013)
Liliana Iedu, “Percheziţii în cazul naţionaliştilor ce au anunţat recompensă pentru femeile rome ce se sterilizează” (“Searches in the case of the nationalists who have announced a reward for the Roma women who get sterilized”), in Mediafax, 14.01.2013, available at: http://www.mediafax.ro/social/perchezitii-in-cazul-nationalistilor-ce-au-anuntat-recompensa-pentru-femeile-rome-ce-se-sterilizeaza-10460811 (Accessed at: 27.01.2013)

Racist Abuse Towards LUAS (tram) Staff on the Increase

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:20:33 GMT

According to Herald.ie, new LUAS figures show that while the number of public order offences has declined, racist abuse towards staff has increased and is most often of verbal nature.According to Herald.ie, new LUAS figures show that while the number of public order offences has declined, racist abuse towards staff has increased and is most often of verbal nature.According to Herald.ie, new LUAS figures show that while the number of public order offences has declined, racist abuse towards staff has increased and is most often of verbal nature.

Source:

Herald.ie (2013). Crackdown Pays Off ... But Racist Abuse Increases. Accessed 10.01.2012 at: http://www.herald.ie/news/crackdown-pays-off-but-racist-abuse-increases-3343148.html.

Zsolt Bayer's anti-Roma article in a Hungarian daily newspaper

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:00:05 GMT

Hungarian journalist Zsolt Bayer has caused public uproar with an opinion piece published in a Hungarian daily newspaper, Magyar Hírlap. Bayer wrote in the article that “this group of Gypsies are animals and behave like animals... They see something. They want it. If they don’t get it right away, they kill;” and: “They shouldn't be tolerated or understood but stamped out. Animals should not exist. Not in any way.” Bayer’s article was triggered by a New Year’s Eve incident at a club in a small Hungarian (Szigethalom), where two young men, a 17 year-old and a 19 year-old (both of them are athletes in local sports clubs), suffered multiple stab wounds; and where the alleged attackers were of Roma origin. [1]

As a reaction to the article, Hungarian human rights NGOs formed a coalition, and issued a communication in which they call domestic companies and Hungarian divisions of multinationals (eg. FedEX, Vodafone, T-Com, IKEA, Procter and Gamble) to reconsider advertising in Magyar Hírlap. [2]

______________________________________________________

Sources:

Szilvay, G, 11.01.2013, Bayer and the Roma, http://hungarianglobe.mandiner.hu/cikk/20130111_bayer_and_the_roma, Accessed on 27.01.2013.
Hungarian Helsinki Committe, 22.01.2013, NGOs call for advertising boycott over anti-Roma statements in Hungarian media, http://helsinki.hu/en/ngos-call-for-advertising-boycott-of-racist-newspaper, Accessed on 27.01.2013.

A man condemned to 5 months of imprisonment for racist threats

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 13:38:40 GMT

A 31-year-old inhabitant of Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Jarosław W., was condemned by the District Court in Opole for 5 months of imprisonment suspended for 2 years for racist threats addressed to a black woman. He also has to pay 500 PLN of punitive damages. The court found him guilty of the racist threats as the victim might have feared of them „even if in the mind of the defendant a thought to put them into effect did not arise“. The defendant and the victim who has resided in Poland for 12 years, live in the neighbourhood. Once, the woman cut in on Jarosław W. while driving a car. A few days later, they met in their housing estate and the man insulted and threatened the woman calling her a „nigger“ and asking to leave Poland in a vulgar way. In the court room Jarosław W. apologized to her but denied being racist and called the incident an ordinary quarrel. The judgement is not yet legally binding. If the verdict remain unchanged in the second instance, it would be an important signal that also a hate speech constitutes an offence and won't be tolerated in Poland.

Source:

Gazeta.pl, 30.11.2012, Opolanin skazany za rasizm (A citizen of Opole condemned for racism), http://m.wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,117915,12959037,Opolanin_skazany_za_rasizm__Wrzeszczal_do_czarnoskorej_.html, Accessed on 12.12.2012.

Exemplary case of a discrimination victim on the ground of sexual orientation granted compensation

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 13:33:28 GMT

The case concerned I. M., a Netto shop cashier, who was mocked at and called names by the shop manager after he found out about the homosexual orientation of his employee. A year later, Ireneusz was fired without a justifiable reason. The District Court in Gorzów Wielkopolski passed a sentence which was supposed to make the cashier be granted compensation of 18,000 PLN (approximately 4,500 EUR), which is worth 12 monthly salaries. In its justification, the Court stated that I. M. was humiliated a number of times by the shop manager who mocked and laughed at him also in front of the customers. “The sentense is a clear warning to other employers. They are especially in charge of taking care about the workplace so that there was no incidents of discrimination on any ground” - said the vice-president of District Court in Gorzów. The shop's management accepted the sentence; the compensation is going to be paid as soon as possible. The manager, having heard the sentence, submitted his resignation.

Source:

Gazeta.pl, 30.11.2012, Dyskryminowany gej wygrał proces z Netto. Dostanie 18 tys. za obelgi (A homosexual discriminated against won in the court with Netto shop. He will get 18 thousands zlotych for the insults), http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114871,12950257,Dyskryminowany_gej_wygral_proces_z_Netto__Dostanie.html, Accessed on 12.12.2012.

Controversial tickets in Lublin

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 13:23:24 GMT

Lublin's public transport administration ZTM launched a new series of tickets within the action “Lublin for everyone” organized by Pracownia Sztuki Zaangażowanej Społecznie "Rewiry" (Studio of Socially Engaged Art “Rewiry”) in Centrum Kultury (Cultural Centre) in Lublin. Two types of cartoon drawings were printed: one of them presented a Jew hugging two people and the other – a man of African origin. The drawing also featured the name of Lublin's football club “Motor” written in the way football fans chant it at the match. According to the club's authorities who protested against the drawings on the tickets, the project strengthens the stereotypical image of a racist football fan while negative phenomena concerning intolerance appear in all environments and areas of social life. Therefore, they cannot be linked to one social group only. The authorities of ZTM in Lublin decided to withdraw the distribution of controversial tickets.

Source:

Gazeta.pl Lublin, 19.11.2012, Żyd i czarnoskóry też kibice. Ci "prawdziwi" protestują (A Jew and a Black are fans, too. The "real" fans are protesting, http://lublin.gazeta.pl/lublin/1,48724,12886662,Zyd_i_czarnoskory_wsrod_kibicow_Motoru_Lublin__Jest.html, Accessed on 12.12.2012

15 persons, including students, tortured a 32 year-old Pakistani immigrant in Lasithi, Crete

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:00:00 GMT

15 people, including students, tortured a 32 year-old Pakistani immigrant in Lasithi, Crete. The individuals allegedly entered the victim's house, whis is near Xerokambos high school, took the victim out of his house by force and started hitting him all over his body. Finally, the perpetrators struck the victim on his head with a large stone, causeing a large wound.

Source:

Newsit, 28.12.2012, Αναστάτωση στο Λασίθι για ρατσιστική βία από μαθητές σε βάρος Πακιστανού! (Turmoil in Lassithi for racist violence by students against Pakistani!), http://www.newsit.gr/default.php?pname=Article&art_id=182719&catid=4, Accessed on 29.12.2012.

Three separate attacks on Bangladeshi immigrants by two Greeks on a moving car

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Two 22-year-old Greeks attacked three Bangladeshi immigrants, aged 30, 26 and 24 years old, beating each one of them in different attacks with a retractable rod. The 22 year-old perpetratros were moving with a car in the areas of Argyroupoli, Elliniko and Gyfada (South Attica) during the morning and were stopping to attack the foreigners. 250 Euros was also stolen from the victim who was attacked in Elliniko.

Two of the victims were hospitalised, while perpetrators were identified and finally arested.

Source:

Newsit, 25.12.2012, Δυο 22χρονοι Έλληνες επιτέθηκαν σε τρεις αλλοδαπούς από το Μπαγκλαντές τις πρωινές ώρες (Two 22 year-old Greeks attacked three foreigners from Bangladesh in the morning), http://www.newsit.gr/default.php?pname=Article&art_id=182147&catid=4, Accessed on 26.12.2012.

Greek Police sets up offices for combating, recording and reporting racist violence.

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Since December 2012 a network of 68 competent Police directorates throughout the country and 2 central Departments are assigned the task of collecting data and reporting on racist violence.
The 70 new local/regional Police offices against racist violence announced by the Greek Public order minister started to operate on January 2013. They are staffed by 200 police officers in 68 offices throughout the country + 2 central departments in Athens.
There is also a new countrywide hotline (11414) and an online form for reporting racist crime.
These police offices have been set up on the basis of the PD 132/2012 and they provide a number of services to victims with the clear mandate to combat hate motivate crimes (or incitement to) or actions which may cause discrimination, hate or violence against persons or groups of persons because of their race, colour, religion, ethnic or national origin. Moreover the mandate of these offices is:
- intervene also on own initiative in investigating and persecuting crimes concerning public incitement, provoking or stimulation to the commission of offenses or event acts or actions that can lead to discrimination, hatred or violence against persons or group of persons because of race, skin colour, religion, descent and national or ethnic origin.
- aim at cooperating with civil society and victim organisations and to prevention of RV undertaking or supporting positive initiatives.
- keep a record of incidents investigated.
- inform victims and services who are competent for victims’ support and provides for interpreter if necessary.
- publish an annual report every January.
- provide surveillance of particular areas, with increased risk of racist attacks.

Source:

Presidential Degree 132/2012 about the creation of departments and offices combating racist violence (11.12.2012), Download pdf

Racism in Irish Sports

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 11:55:38 GMT

The most recent case of racist slur on a GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) pitch whereby a player of Irish-African heritage was called a 'nigger' and a 'Paki' follows a number of previous incidents earlier this year. In March 2012, it was alleged that "Armagh captain Ciaran Mckeever was called a 'British bastard' by a Laois player. In June 2012, Wexford player Lee Chin stated that he has been putting up with racist abuse "for my entire life". In view of the most recent allegations, both Ulster Council president Aogán Ó Fearghail and GAA president Liam O'Neill have condemned "any form of abuse" (O'Neill). Ó Fearghail stated that "racial abuse would not be tolerated at any level" and that "if proven guilty certainly severe penalties would be applied" as such behaviour was in breach of Rule 1 stating that the GAA was anti-sectarian and anti-racism. A person using racist slur had discredited the association and will entail a ban of a minimum of eight weeks to a lifetime.

More information can be found following the links provided below.

Sources:

Irish Times (2012). GAA Promise Swift Action if Racial Abuse Claim Proved. Accessed 4 December 2012, at http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/1204/1224327436007.html
Irish Examiner (2012). Racism in Sport - Deny Funds to Clubs That Host Racists. Accessed 4 December 2012, at http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/editorial/racism-in-sport--deny-funds-to-clubs-that-host-racists-215837.html
Irish Examiner (2012). O'Neill Vows to Stamp Out Abuse. Accessed 4 December 2012, at http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/oneill-vows-to-stamp-out-abuse-576563.html
Irish Independent (2012). GAA Star Lee Chin Speaks Out About Racist Abuse to Stop it For Younger Players. Accessed 4 December 2012, at: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gaa-star-lee-chin-speaks-out-about-racist-abuse-to-stop-it-for-younger-players-3147849.html
Irish Central (2012). Armagh GAA Hits Out at "Racist and Personal Attacks" During Recent Laois Game. Accessed 4 December 2012, at: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Armagh-GAA-hits-out-at-racist-and-personal-attacks-during-recent-Laois-game-143789936.html