Human rights
(Strasbourg) “I join all those people who celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination across the world. Too many people are still discriminated against because of the colour of their skin or their ethnic background”. This was stated by the president of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE), Ioannis Kasoulides. As to today’s celebration, he goes on: “The situation is particularly worrying in Europe, where populist and nationalist movements are on the rise. Migrants and refugees are often the first victims of this worrying trend and are often used as targets or scapegoats. Nowadays, fighting racism is more important than ever. Everyone has a role to play, and we, as politicians and public figures, are responsible for preserving the strength and openness of our European societies and for building inclusive communities without discriminations”. He concludes: “We have a joint duty to oppose racism and any form of discrimination at any time and in any place. The Council of Europe is and will be a key player in promoting the fundamental equality of all human beings”.
