European Union (EU) leaders in 2013 acknowledged problems of rising intolerance and persistent human rights violations across the EU, but failed to take concerted action, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2014.
In EU countries, events in 2013 confirmed that even when EU institutions do tackle rights concerns, problems often persist even after they are deemed solved. Examples are the European Commission's enforcement actions to address Hungary's efforts to undermine the rule of law and human rights, and France's abusive expulsions of Roma.
Racism and homophobia remained serious problems in the EU, prompting calls from the European Parliament and the Council of Europe for more efforts to counter extreme forms of intolerance. Roma, migrants, and asylum seekers are particularly marginalized, while Europe's Muslims face discrimination in many spheres, including in the exercise of religious freedom.
