The European Commission on Friday presented an action plan to combat racism in the period from 2020 to 2025, which envisages a number of measures to be implemented through EU legislation as well as by other means.

The action plan was announced on Wednesday by EC President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech.

Progress on fighting racism and hate is fragile – it is hard won but very easily lost. So now is the moment to make change. To build a truly anti-racist Union – that goes from condemnation to action. And the Commission is putting forward an action plan to start making that happen, von der Leyen said.

In its proposal the EC says that it will make sure, among other things, that all member-states fully implement relevant EU legislation, and, if necessary, additionally strengthen their legislative framework, notably in areas still not covered by non-discrimination laws, such as law enforcement.

The Commission also calls on Member States to maximise the use of all the tools at their disposal, in particular the funding available under the next long-term EU budget and the Next Generation EU. The Action Plan is bringing together actors at all levels to fight racism in Europe more effectively, including through adoption of national action plans against racism.

“With this action plan, we acknowledge that racism is not only perpetrated by individuals but is also structural. Therefore, we need to address it at all levels of governance to turn the tide. This is why, amongst others, we address law enforcement, social attitudes, stereotypes and economic concerns; and encourage Member States to adopt their respective anti-racism action plans,” Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli said.