CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Minister, colleagues, the Fundamental Rights Agency strongly welcomes these Council Conclusions and the leadership of the Irish Presidency in bringing them forward.
They come at a critical moment. As the Conclusions recognise, geopolitical tensions, societal crises, disinformation and new technologies are intensifying racism and hatred, online and offline.
These are difficult times for equality and dangerous times for democracy. When racism is normalised, when people conceal their identity for fear of hostility, or when those defending rights are silenced, the harm reaches far beyond those directly targeted. It weakens social cohesion, erodes trust in public institutions, and undermines the rule of law and the values upon which our Union is founded.
FRA’s work covers all grounds of discrimination and all groups protected by EU law. Our evidence shows that anti-Black racism, antigypsyism, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim hatred have distinct histories and manifestations. They require targeted responses. But we also see common and structural failures across these groups: significant under-reporting, barriers to remedies, and reduced levels of participation.
That is why these Conclusions matter. They place combating racism at the heart of protecting fundamental rights and strengthening democratic resilience.
Europe already has a strong legal foundation to fight racism. The Racial Equality Directive, the Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia, victims’ rights rules and the new standards for equality bodies impose clear obligations. The main gap is not the absence of law. It is the gap between protection in principle and people’s lived experience.
In response to the Presidency’s question, FRA sees three immediate priorities for Member States.
- First: enforce the law. National authorities need the capacity to identify, record, investigate and prosecute racist hate crime. Victims need accessible reporting channels, specialised support and effective remedies. Equality bodies must have the independence and resources required under the new EU standards.
- Second: turn national action plans into instruments of accountability. Action plans should set clear responsibilities, timelines and budgets. They should be monitored with the meaningful participation of affected communities and civil society.
- Third: improve equality data. Member States should collect reliable and comparable data, and administrative data must be combined with lived experience. Otherwise, structural discrimination remains invisible, and policy impact cannot be measured.
- Finally - anti-racism policy cannot succeed while civic space is shrinking. As well as supporting victims, civil society organisations provide an early warning when rights are under pressure. They need sustainable funding, protection from threats and abusive litigation, and a meaningful role in policy design and monitoring.
- Civil society is not an optional stakeholder. It is part of Europe’s democratic infrastructure.
The choice before us is clear. Racism can be allowed to fuel fear, division and democratic erosion. Or these Conclusions can become a line of defence for equality, the rule of law and democracy.
FRA stands ready to support Member States with independent evidence, expertise and guidance. Our measure of success must be whether the law positively impacts people’s lives.