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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 11:44 am
Time: 11:44 am
Results for criminal justice
3 results foundAuthor: Gauci, Jean-Pierre Title: Racism in Europe: ENAR Shadow Report 2010-2011 Summary: The aim of ENAR’s Shadow Report on racism in Europe is to provide a civil society perspective on the situation of racism and related discrimination in Europe between March 2010 and March 2011. In view of the 2011 International Year of People of African Descent, this report gives special attention to the ways in which racism and racial discrimination impact the lives of this particular group across Europe. The communities most vulnerable to racism and racial and/or religious discrimination in Europe are various and remain largely similar to those reported in previous Shadow Reports. Key among the communities most affected are people of African descent, black Europeans, migrants (both EU and third country nationals), Roma, Muslims and Jews. A number of national reports also highlight specific communities who are especially vulnerable. There appears to be a link between the vulnerability and experience of discrimination, visible characteristics of difference, and the public’s perception of these characteristics. Further distinctions exist between visible minorities (including nationals of ethnic minority backgrounds) and status minorities (those whose legal status places them in a particularly disadvantaged situation in the country). In the context of employment, some of the key concerns related to minorities and migrants include: unemployment rates, difficulties in the acquisition of relevant documentation and recognition of qualifications, language and cultural barriers, discrimination in recruitment processes, the glass ceiling effect within employment, and unequal working conditions. Particularly at a time of economic downturn, ethnic minorities and migrants have been disproportionately affected by both unemployment and precarious working conditions. Issues faced in the context of housing and accommodation include difficulties in the private rental market, in accessing public housing and funds or loans to purchase property, poor living conditions and overcrowding, discrimination by homeless shelter staff, housing segregation, and a lack of awareness of rights and obligations. Discrimination in education takes a variety of forms, including structural concerns, such as segregation and discrimination by teachers, and more personal concerns, such as language barriers and bullying at the hands of peers. The result is poorer educational attainment by many members of ethnic minorities and migrants and over-representation among early school leavers. Manifestations of racism and related discrimination are also notable in the field of healthcare and include prejudice by staff and patients, significantly lower health outcomes (including greater prevalence of certain chronic conditions), language and cultural barriers, as well as legal challenges (especially in the case of migrants). In terms of access to goods and services, access to bars and places of entertainment, to financial services and to public transport continues to be highlighted as being particularly problematic. In the context of criminal justice, ethnic minorities are more likely to be stopped and searched, to be arrested and prosecuted, and are disproportionately represented in prisons. Ethnic profiling is also carried out in the context of counter-terrorism, causing alienation and frustration among ethnic and religious minorities. Moreover, ethnic minorities are victims of racist violence and crimes of various forms; their complaints are often ignored or not taken seriously by the relevant authorities. Another concern is underreporting by victims of racist violence due to lack of trust in the police and fears linked to migrant status and/or further victimisation, In the context of the media, some of the key problems continue to be inaccurate reporting, negative and/or lack of representation of ethnic minorities, the use of an ‘us versus them’ rhetoric, as well as the promotion of racism on the internet, especially through social media. People of African descent face discrimination, stereotypes and prejudice in employment, housing, healthcare, education, access to goods and services, criminal justice, and the media. Their visibility heightens their vulnerability to discrimination. Whilst most manifestations of discrimination are not particularly targeted at people of African descent, they do tend to be disproportionately affected by these manifestations. Moreover, in a context of rampant prejudice, visibility and perception of ethnic minority status appear to outplay other considerations including nationality and status. Finally, the report provides an overview of some of the key legal and political developments in the fields of anti-racism and anti-discrimination as well as migration and integration. Details: Brussels: European Network Against Racism (ENAR), 2012. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2012 at http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/publications/shadow%20report%202010-11/shadowReport_EN_final%20LR.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/publications/shadow%20report%202010-11/shadowReport_EN_final%20LR.pdf Shelf Number: 124636 Keywords: Criminal JusticeEducationEmploymentHealth CareHousingRacial Discrimination (Europe)Racism (Europe) |
Author: Taft-Morales, Maureen Title: Guatemala: Political, Security, and Socio- Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations Summary: Since the 1980s, Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America with a population just over 14 million, has continued its transition from a centuries-long tradition of mostly autocratic rule toward representative government. A democratic constitution was adopted in 1985, and a democratically elected government was inaugurated in 1986. A 36-year civil war that ravaged Guatemala ended in 1996. This report provides an overview of Guatemala’s current political and economic conditions, relations with the United States, and several issues likely to figure in future decisions by Congress and the Administration regarding Guatemala. With respect to continued cooperation and foreign assistance, these issues include security and governance; protection of human rights and human rights conditions on some U.S. military aid to Guatemala; support for the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala; combating narcotics trafficking and organized crime; trade relations; and intercountry adoption. In November 2011, Otto Pérez Molina won the second-round presidential election run-off with 53.8% of the vote. He took office, along with the 158-member Congress, in January 2012. A former military commander who served during the civil war period, Pérez Molina faces concerns from some regarding his role in the human rights abuses committed during that period. In a landmark case, a Guatemalan court found former dictator Efrain Rios Montt guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity on May 10, 2013. Appeals have been filed. Guatemala continues to be plagued by security issues related to narcotics trafficking and the rise of organized crime, social inequality, and poverty. Upon taking office Pérez Molina announced a controversial position to decriminalize drugs as one policy initiative to address Guatemala’s many problems. Pérez Molina's proposal has failed to garner the support of other Central American leaders, but he seems willing to continue pushing the debate forward. In his view, decriminalization has to be gradual and strongly regulated, and it has to take place in the whole region, including producer and consumer countries. In the meantime, Pérez Molina vows to continue prosecuting and jailing drug-traffickers. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2013. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: R42580: Accessed June 18, 2013 at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42580.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Guatemala URL: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42580.pdf Shelf Number: 129017 Keywords: Criminal JusticeDrug TraffickingHuman RightsOrganized CrimeSocio-economic Conditions (Guatemala) |
Author: Scandinavian Research Council for Criminology Title: When the Unforeseen in Seen: NSFK Workshop in Reykjavik, Iceland, December 3-5 2009 and January 3-5 2011 Summary: The report is a collection of papers presented in NSfK's workshops "When the unforeseen is seen", in Reykjavik, Iceland, December 3-5 2009 and January 3-5 2011. On its annual board meeting in March of 2009 in Reykjavik, the Scandinavian Research Council for Criminology (SRCC) decided to organize a workshop on topics related to crisis and society. What prompted this move by SRCC was the then recent banking collapse in Iceland, followed by a social turmoil and world-wide media attention. Reykjavik was felt to be an ideal location to host the workshop since many observers had pointed to Iceland as the first victim of the crisis in W-Europe, and the nation being worst hit. The title of the workshop When the Unforeseen is Seen captures the theme of the workshop. Did these turbulent events come as a surprise or could they somehow be foreseen? The content should not only address current events, but also take a look at historic events and social turning points during earlier time periods. Moreover, the scope should be broad, not only including Nordic nations, but also other European nations, if possible. Crime and justice related topics were understandably supposed to be central, but if participants wanted to explore other aspects related to crisis and society, they were free to do so. The workshop was held at the University of Iceland in December 3-5, 2009. A total of nine participants from all of the Nordic nations participated and gave a total of ten presentations, including a summary remark. On this meeting it was decided to meet again to elaborate further on the papers presented, if funds from SRCC allowed. After being granted a positive response from SRCC the second workshop was held in Reykjavik in January 3-5, 2011. A total of eight participants attended and gave nine presentations, including two new participants, but three from the first meeting were not present. Details: Reykjavik: The Research Council, 2011. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 2, 2018 at: http://www.nsfk.org/Portals/0/Archive/1_When%20the%20unforeseen%20is%20seen.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Iceland URL: http://www.nsfk.org/Portals/0/Archive/1_When%20the%20unforeseen%20is%20seen.pdf Shelf Number: 151158 Keywords: Crime RatesCriminal JusticeEconomics and CrimeHomicide |