Concern At Desecration Of Burial Sites

Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg has revealed to French minister Brice Hortefeux, his concern at the desecration of  Jewish and Muslim graves in Strasbourg.

"I was deeply disturbed to learn of the desecration of 37 graves in the Muslim section of Strasbourg cemetery on 24 September. Sadly, this despicable act is not the only one of its kind. Four Jewish or Muslim cemeteries have been vandalised this year in the greater Strasbourg area alone", the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner writes in a letter to Hortefeux, French Minister of the Interior, Overseas France and Local Authorities.

Hammarberg: Russia Facing Human Rights Test

A "test for the effectiveness in practice of the right to peaceful assembly" is looming in Russia according to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg.


In an article enitled 'Freedom to demonstrate is a human right – even when the message is critical,' he points to the importance of a rally planned for Sunday 31 October.

Roma in Europe: Time for states to move from words to action and eliminate systemic discrimination

“Roma and Travellers continue to be subject to racism and pervasive discrimination across all social sectors in many European countries. It is high time to act to reverse this situation” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, at the Seminar on Roma rights organised today by the ABF-Workers’ Educational Association in Stockholm.

“Europe cannot be proud. It is a continent where forced sterilisation of Roma women was a state-backed policy in certain countries at least until 1990 and where segregation of Roma children in schools still persists. Progress in tackling poverty among Roma and enhancing their socio-economic status is either non existent or slow. (more)

Podcast: Romaphobia

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