"Racism and discrimination are still a fundamental problem for human rights" in Europe. It was denounced today by Amnesty International. "As well as the actual threat of verbal abuse and physical violence, there are citizens who cannot lead a normal life, find a job, rent a flat or simply walk around without being stopped and searched, just because they are the ‘wrong’ colour or from a ‘wrong’ ethnic group", stated Dick Oosting, director of the Amnesty International office to the EU. In a letter to the European Commission, to the EU Council and to the European Parliament, the organisation urged the implementation of factual measures to put an end to racial discrimination, since "less than one half of the EU member states have adopted any national action plan against racism" and have ratified the Protocol to "sue any act of discrimination". For this reason, he asks the EU to "urge the implementation of the Directive on racial equality and equality at work; to give equal and effective protection from all the causes and acts of discrimination; to introduce a legislation, offering effective protection from racist crimes and hatred crimes in all EU countries while protecting the freedom of expression".
