FIGHT AGAINST RACISM : DUBLIN PREPARES GROUND FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.

• Position: Dublin, Ireland - Brief article

Ireland's Justice Minister Alan Shatter deserves credit for having organised a debate on the increase in racist and anti-Semitic acts in the Union, even if it was held behind closed doors, at the Justice Council on 18 January in Dublin.

This discussion aimed to help the member states' ministers prepare the ground for crucial legislative changes. The existing (2008) framework decision on tackling racism and xenophobia will become a directive from January 2014, as provided under the Lisbon Treaty following the transition period for justice and home affairs matters. The European Commission may therefore be able to launch infringement proceedings against countries that do not criminally prosecute incitement to hatred or violence against people due to their colour, ethnic origin or religious beliefs. The EU Court of Justice will also be able to issue judgements.

Greece and Estonia have not yet implemented the...