Fight against racism in the field of social affairs

1) OBJECTIVE

To contribute towards combating racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism by ensuring that fundamental rights are respected as general principles of Community law (Article F(2) of the Treaty on European Union), and to support the implementation of integration policies in the fields of employment and social affairs.

2) COMMUNITY MEASURES

Resolution of the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 5 October 1995, on the fight against racism and xenophobia in the fields of employment and social affairs.

3) CONTENTS

The Council condemns in the strongest terms racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism in all their forms, flagrant breaches of individual rights, and religious intolerance, particularly in the fields of employment and social affairs.

The Council notes with satisfaction that the Member of the Commission responsible for social affairs and employment has been specifically entrusted with the fight against racism and xenophobia.

The Council calls upon the Commission to present, in its communication, a review of the measures taken in the context of existing Community programmes and the possibilities for future measures in the sphere of the fight against racism and xenophobia.

The Council calls upon the Member States, account being taken of the recommendations made by the Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophobia, to make progress towards achieving the following common objectives:

• guaranteeing protection for persons against all forms of discrimination on grounds of race, colour, religion or national or ethnic origin;
• promoting employment and vocational training as significant means of integrating persons legally resident in the Member State concerned, bearing in mind the diversified nature of society;
• fighting all forms of labour discrimination against workers legally resident in each Member State;
• promoting equal opportunities for the groups most vulnerable to discrimination, in particular women, young people and children.

The Council calls upon the Member States to develop, in their teaching systems, in their vocational training and instructor training establishments, and in their training programmes for public servants and business executives, respect for diversity and the equality of human beings and the spirit of tolerance, and calls upon those Member States which have not yet done so to ratify the international instruments concerning the fight against all forms of racial discrimination.