30. 1. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 23/33 
5.5. Finally, bearing in mind that, in the Committee's 
view, the priority aim is still to achieve the highest 
possible level of employment and skills against a back­
ground of stable growth and balanced development, 
the Commission should endeavour to back up the report 
on 'the Cost of non-Europe' with similar forecasts 
regarding jobs. 
Done at Brussels, 23 November 1988. 
1. General comments 
1.1. The contemporary European idea was born out 
of resistance to nationalistic tyranny, xenophobia and 
racism. It is right and proper, therefore, that the Euro­
pean Community should concern itself with efforts 
to combat any upsurge of racism in our midst. The 
Committee welcomes the Commission initiative, and 
yet, in keeping with earlier related Opinions (2), ex­
presses deep disappointment that only a proposal for a 
Council Resolution is presented rather than an effective 
policy displaying a real political commitment to combat 
racism. 
(!) OJ No C 214, 16. 8. 1988, p. 32. 
(2) ESC Opinion on migrant workers (OJ No C 343, 
24. 12. 1984); ESC Opinion on guidelines for a Community 
policy on migration (OJ No C 186, 26. 7. 1985). The need for greater transparency during the transition 
towards a full internal market could be met by develop­
ing a dynamic input-output model to assess, using alter­
native technological scenarios, the input and structure 
of employment, the employment levels in different 
regions, and the technological changes necessary in 
education and training. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONE 
1.2. It is both ironic and sad that, as progress is 
rapidly being made towards '1992' and the abolishing 
of commercial frontiers between Member States, human 
barriers and racial tensions have still to be broken down 
within the Community. The Committee insists that all 
EC nationals, including those who are from ethnic 
minorities, are assured a share of and a future in a 
'People's Europe', that rights of residence, of freedom 
of movement and employment, and the mutual recog­
nition of diplomas and qualifications are applied across 
the board. 
1.2.1. The Commission rightly focuses on combating 
racism and xenophobia and on the need to safeguard 
fundamental rights, as stressed by the recent Single Opinion on the proposal for a Council resolution 
on the fight against racism and xenophobia (!) 
(89/C 23/12) 
On 11 July 1988, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee 
under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Social, Family, Educational and Cultural Affairs which was responsible for 
preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 10 November 1988. 
The Rapporteur was Mrs Flather. 
At its 260th plenary session (meeting of 23 November 1988), the Economic and Social 
Committee adopted the following Opinion by 105 votes in favour and 3 abstentions. 
No C 23/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 1. 89 
European Act. In this connection, it must be made clear 
that all potential victims of racist or xenophobic acts 
need to be protected, be they Community or other 
migrant workers, third country 'immigrants', or any 
other persons—irrespective of their ethnic or national 
origins. The aim should be to bring about a European 
Community in which ethnic and cultural diversity is 
accepted, participation of members of all groups is 
maximized, and individual dignity is respected. 
1.3. The Committee approves the recognition of the 
importance of international instruments and urges their 
ratification and implementation. All Member States 
should accept the right of individuals to have appli­
cations considered unter the conventions to which refer­
ence is made. 
1.4. The Committee considers that laws aimed at 
prevention or punishment of discrimination or acts 
inspired by racism and xenophobia need to be pro­
moted, strengthened and applied vigorously. It also 
recognizes, however, that laws modify behaviour in the 
short-term but can affect attitudes- only in the long-
term. 
1.5. The Committee consequently underlines the 
importance of education at all stages in countering 
racism and xenophobia. It considers that Member 
States should foster an ethos through pre-school and 
school education based on the following principles: 
— The worth of each child as an individual whatever 
that child's origin. 
— The need for all children to be educated to appreci­
ate the diverse cultures not only of EC countries 
but also of the countries of origin of 'migrants', and 
to respect the dignity, beliefs and rights of all. 
— The need for measures aimed at overcoming any 
educational disadvantage to which minority groups 
may be subject, so that all children may be in a 
position to achieve their full potential. 
— No segregation or separate schools, while giving 
due recognition to the learning of language and 
culture of origins. 
— The need for teachers to be trained and recruited 
on the basis of the principles of non-discrimination. 
1.6. The Committee approves the recognition and 
importance of an information policy and in particular recommends that Member States should promote the 
establishment of routine systems, based on adequate 
data, for monitoring levels of racial discrimination, 
harassment and disadvantage, so that effective policy 
measures can be adopted. 
1.6.1. The Committee likewise approves the pro­
posal that Member States be invited to report every 
three years assessing the overall position, and is of the 
view that such reports should also be forward-looking 
and set out plans for action in the subsequent three 
years. 
1.6.2. The Committee wholly supports the proposal 
to make a comparative assessment of the legal instru­
ments implemented in the Member States to combat 
all forms of discrimination, racism, xenophobia and 
incitement to hatred and racial violence. In the Commit­
tee's view the assessment should take into account any 
proposals for the improvement of the legislation in the 
Member States. The assessment should also cover the 
use of quasi-legal methods of persuasion, such as codes 
of practice. 
1.6.3. In the Committee's view, responsibility in the 
field of information aimed at eliminating racial preju­
dice and promoting harmonious relations is shared 
between Government, both central and local, political 
parties, the media, business, trade unions, church and 
youth organizations and public bodies. Member States 
should take a lead in encouraging all to play their full 
part. 
1.7. The Committee urges the adoption of a law 
(similar in nature to Art. 14 of the European Convention 
for the protection of human rights and fundamental 
freedoms) which will secure the existing rights in EC 
law without discrimination on the grounds of race, 
colour, ethnic or national origins or descent. Such legis­
lation would serve to protect the 'fundamental rights' 
already achieved and 'to protect the individuality of 
every member of society' and would therefore accord 
fully with the Commission's focus on these objectives. 
1.7.1. At the same time many migrant workers do 
not have nationality of a Member State. The Committee 
would stress that inter-racial tolerance and social inte­
gration can only improve through increased access to 
the democratic process and the perception that they 
have a stake in society. 
2. Specific comments 
2.1. 5th'Whereas' 
The draft resolution states that any form of 'segregation 
of foreigners' must be rejected. It is not explained what 
forms of segregation the Commission is referring to, 
30. 1. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 23/35 
nor does the Commission propose any special study or 
specific type of remedy. 
The Committee would stress that, while intentional 
'segregation of foreigners' is clearly wrong, de facto 
'segregation' may also fuel racism and xenophobia. 
2.2. Article 2 
The Committee considers that the measures provided 
for under Article 2 should cover both direct and indirect 
forms of discrimination, and should notably act against 
the stirring up of racial hatred as well as operate in 
the fields of: employment, education, housing and the 
provision of goods, facilities and services. They must 
also protect the complainant against victimisation 
resulting from the use of such measures. 
The Committee further notes that, whilst the concili­
ation procedures proposed may have some part to play, 
the need to confront racism and xenophobia through 
the due processes of the law cannot be avoided. The 
law should also make due allowance for inherent diffi­
culties of proof, and provide effective remedies. 
Done at Brussels, 23 November 1988. 2.3. Article 3 
The Committee welcomes the training initiatives for 
public servants, proposed in the general introduction. 
This should be highlighted in Article 3. Members of 
minority groups ought to be encouraged to undertake 
such employment themselves. Governments should also 
be urged to look at routine administrative procedures 
which may be out of step with changing circumstances 
and which may inadvertently work against the interests 
of minorities. 
The Committee would expect the Commission officially 
to communicate to it the reports provided for under 
Article 3. Such progress reports ought clearly to be 
supervised and acted upon by a named Commissioner 
responsible for the matter. 
3. Conclusion 
The Committee would emphasize that the European 
Community is in a unique position to create a society 
which is rich in its cultural diversity and united through 
its attachment to democratic values, social consensus 
and entreprise. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Alberto MASPRONF.