This annual report of the Agency is the EU's first comprehensive overview of racist, xenophobic, antisemitic and anti-Muslim discrimination, and responses to it, to cover all 25 EU Member States. The Roma emerge as the group most vulnerable to racism in the EU. They face discrimination in employment, housing and education - as well as being regular victims of racial violence. Other groups facing high levels of discrimination in many Member States are migrant workers from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Muslim groups face particularly challenging conditions in many Member States. Also recent migrants from Russia or the Ukraine may be subject to discrimination in some Member States.

The report on ‘Racist Violence in 15 EU Member States' is based on national reports by the Agency's National Focal Points and includes available data for the period 2001-2004. The focus of the report is on the extent and nature of, and policy responses to, racist violence (and associated activities) in EU15.

By their very nature, opinion polls are in danger of misinterpretation or simplification. The EUMC puts forward these questions & answers in order to facilitate a better interpretation of the survey results.

This summary provides a brief overview and interpretation of important results from the analysis of the 2003 Eurobarometer survey and 2003 European Social Survey on majorities’ attitudes
towards minorities. Detailed research findings can be found in the four reports stemming from the research.

In 2003 the Agency commissioned a research team from the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands (NISCO) to conduct a major analysis of data from the 2003 Eurobarometer Survey and the 2003 European Social Survey on attitudes towards minorities and migrants in different European countries. The researchers also compared the findings of the 2003 Eurobarometer with results of earlier Eurobarometer Surveys. The research team produced a statistical analysis, written up as four reports.

In the Annual Report published on 2 December 2004, the Agency concludes that the education system in EU states is still failing migrant and minority pupils and racism against the Roma community continues.

The report analyses the existing and developing legal measures and remedies against discrimination of migrants and minorities, especially within the framework of the two EU anti-discrimination directives and their transposition into national legislation.

This report complements the report "Manifestations of Antisemitism in the EU 2002-2003" and consists of material from in-depth interviews with 35 persons from Jewish communities in eight European countries, covering their own perceptions of antisemitism.

"Manifestations of Antisemitism in the EU 2002 - 2003" details manifestations of antisemitism in the EU over a two-year period from 2002-2003 using data available by October 2003 and proposes policies to counter it. The second report, "Perceptions of Antisemitism in the European Union" provides snapshot interviews with members of the Jewish community. The main report shows that there has been an increase in antisemitic incidents in five EU countries, (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK). Those incidents ranged from hate mail to arson. In some other countries there has been little evidence of increase in antisemitism.

The Agency commissioned the material for this report from its National Focal Points in 15 EU Member States. The report constitutes a unique collection of evidence on various forms of discrimination and disadvantage experienced by migrants and minorities in the education sector. The Report finds that migrant and minority ethnic groups are over-represented in educational establishments with lower academic demands, have higher drop out rates, lower school completion rates, and sometimes even face segregation into 'special needs schools'. As well as documenting inequality, discrimination and process of exclusion, the report also examples of good practices in the field of education. The report finishes with selected recommendations for the EU and its Member States.

The report was presented to the European Parliament beginning of December 2003, it provides information on the situation regarding racism and xenophobia in the Community and its Member States, and highlights examples of good practice.

During 2003 the two EU Council Directives on equality were due to be transposed into the legislation of Member States. This report, published by the EUMC in the same year, provides conclusive evidence for the necessity of these Directives, and indicates the need for corresponding anti-discrimination measures in employment.

Concern about the reported rise in Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe following the September 11 terrorist attacks against the US, led the Agency together with the European Commission to organise a series of Round Tables on these themes.

This summary highlights the key points of the EUMC Annual Report 2001.

The Agency published its third report on developments in racism, xenophobia and Antisemitism in the EU Member States. The Annual Report 2001 was presented to the public in Brussels on the 10 December 2002.

Following the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, the Agency asked its National Focal Points for a series of country reports on potential anti-Islamic reactions in the then 15 EU Member States. Key findings are summarised in a synthesis report on "Islamophobia in the EU after September 11".

The Internet has become a forum for over 300 million potential users around the world. Racist, violent and extremist organisations and groupings have been quick in learning to use this new medium and take advantage of its benefits through systematic and rational use. The Agency decided to commission research to examine both the scope and the content of home pages which call for the use of football as a platform for racist and violent activities.

The Report summarises a project of the Agency which aimed at collecting and comparing city approaches in the field of combating discrimination on grounds of religion.

This summary highlights the situation in Member States in 2000.

The Annual Report 2000 was presented to the public in Brussels on the 18 December 2001.