'Lack of info' complicates compilation of anti-semitic data in EU
Monday 02 March 2009
Printable
EmailTHE European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights cautioned on Monday that most EU countries fail to compile statistics on anti-semitism, complicating efforts to gauge the scale of the problem within the bloc.
Anti-semitic incidents often do not make it into official records because they are not labelled as such or because victims or witnesses do not report them.
The Vienna-based agency said that it did not have enough information to calculate an overall EU trend in anti-semitic activity for the period between 2001-8, but it noted that the data available showed a decrease in such offences in 2007 and 2008.
In France, for example, where the Interior Ministry collects and compiles data, the number of officially recorded anti-semitic incidents was lower in 2007 at 386 than at any year since 2001, when the tally was 219.
German government statistics showed that the number of anti-semitic incidents decreased to 1,561 in 2007 after peaking at 1,682 in 2005.
And Dutch authorities reported that 50 out of 216 discriminatory incidents in 2007 were anti-semitic in nature, roughly half as many as in 2006.
If you appreciated this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep developing your paper.
Editorial
It doesn't have to be like this
Official inflation figures understate the real extent of rising costs, but even the government's own CPI scheme lays bare the ongoing misery for working people and those dependent on benefits.
Features
A strategy for our victory
The Con-Dems have had it their way too long. We have to turn this country around
Education for all: let's make it a reality
How high-quality primary schooling could help solve global poverty