On 14 June, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published its third report on Poland. The report covers the situation in Poland between the year 2000 and 17 December 2004.

In its report, the ECRI recognizes the Polish authorities’ efforts in, among other things, preparing the Programme for the Roma Community in Poland and the Programme for Countering Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, but also indicates the problems that still remain unsolved. The attention of the Police and the prosecutor was drawn to the fact that they do not place enough emphasis on racially motivated offences and that cases of racial hatred are rarely the target of investigation and prosecution. The report mentions the need to introduce a comprehensive body of antidiscrimination legislation and to create an immigrant integration policy. The ECRI points out the discrimination and exclusion, which takes place in relation to the Roma, and indicates the existence of strong anti-Semitism in Poland (the Union of Jewish Religious Communities in Poland disagrees with these remarks).

The ECRI was established by the Council of Europe in 1993 in order to prevent racism and intolerance. It is composed of independent experts, individuals of recognized merit in conducting activities against racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance, who enjoy great moral authority. One of the elements of the Commission’s activity is the analysis of the situation in the member States of the Council of Europe as regards racism and intolerance, and the preparation of reports.

The English version of the report is available on the website of the Council of Europe: www.coe.int/ecri