Accurate data collection and appropriate policies by the Member States are necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the EU anti-racism action plan and to unmask racism and ethnic discrimination, which have taken a turn for the worse during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.

With a quarter of Europeans feeling discriminated against in at least one area of their lives and racial and ethnic discrimination peaking in employment, there is a sense of urgency about efforts to update and enforce legislation to combat racism across the EU, a virtual hearing held on 18 March by the EESC revealed.

The hearing "A Union of Equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025" brought together speakers from EU institutions and European human rights and anti-racism platforms. The figures presented painted a bleak picture of the situation on the ground.

The rapporteur for the EESC opinion on this topic, Cristian Pîrvulescu, underlined the timeliness of the EU anti-racism action plan, coming as it did amid a deepening of inequalities and discrimination as a result of the pandemic.

From the European Commission, Thibault Balthazar underscored the important role of Member States, encouraging them to adopt the National Action Plans (NAPs), involving civil society and equality bodies. Aleksandra Wesoły presented EU instruments such as the Radicalisation Awareness Network and other platforms which help combat radicalisation and extremist narratives. Maria Daniella Marouda said a study carried out by "European Commission against Racism and Intolerance" highlighted progress in the area of anti-discrimination legislation.

Joanna Goodey from the Fundamental Rights Agency stressed that while legislation does exist, data is lacking, and robust and regular data collection was needed for the action plan to succeed.

The rapporteur for the Committee of the Regions' opinion on the EU anti-racism action plan, Yoomi Renström, stressed that local and regional authorities needed to be recognised as strategic partners in designing, implementing and monitoring the NAPs.

Csaba Asztalos, president of the Romanian Council for the Combatting of Discrimination, underlined the importance of accessible databases and clear communication strategies, while Marie Mescam from SOS Racisme stressed the urgent need to create a space for dialogue within the EU, where civil society, equality bodies and anti-racism organisations can exchange experiences and share their knowledge.

Juliana Wahlgren, Senior Advocacy Officer from the European Network Against Racism, expressed the hope that engaging people with a minority racial or ethnic background with key expertise from civil society organisations would play a significant role in the effective implementation of the action plan. (mt)