IRR News
Not integration but civil rights
By Institute of Race Relations
19 July 2010, 5:00pm
The Institute of Race Relations publishes the alternative European integration report.
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What do minority organisations, refugees and migrants in Europe think about the debate on integration? Is it a debate that stigmatises and humiliates ethnic minorities, or one where institutionalised racism is adequately addressed?
Over the last year, the IRR's European Race Audit has been identifying alternative voices on integration, in five European countries. Now it has brought out the findings of its investigations in a report, Alternative Voices on Integration in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
The report brings together the interviews and news stories with representative organisations that the IRR gathered over the last two years. Grassroots organisations point out that debates on integration, national identity and core values are popularising racism and that what really needs to be discussed is not integration but civil rights.
Alternative Voices on Integration is packed with factual information about the denial of civil rights in the five countries studied. Interviews and news stories are set against policy summaries from each country on integration policy, national action plans on racism, anti-discrimination measures, asylum policies, regularisation processes and changes to citizenship laws. Together the grassroots perspectives and policy summaries reveal the real levels of racism, discrimination, exclusion and human rights abuses faced by European Muslim citizens, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants in Europe.
Alternative Voices on Integration in Austria France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK edited by Liz Fekete with Naima Bouteldja and Nina Mühe is available to download in PDF format here (pdf file, 1.1mb). The IRR's Alternative Voices on Integration project has been created to draw attention to innovative new projects that challenge racism, break down stereotypes and effect change. Through our strategic partnership with the Network of European Foundations (European Programme on Integration and Migration), the IRR is recording the ideas, perspectives and strategies thrown up by self-help initiatives and campaigns for civil rights across Europe. The Institute of Race Relations is precluded from expressing a corporate view: any opinions expressed are therefore those of the authors.Related links
Download a copy of Alternative Voices on Integration in Austria France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK (pdf file, 1.1mb)
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