NCJ Number
223158
Date Published
2007
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This chapter uses criminal justice policies reflected in offense data collection, legislation, and criminal justice practices as a means of assessing recognition of and response to racially and religiously motivated crime in Europe, with a focus on England and Wales.
Abstract
Although the hate-crime model is being promoted in some quarters in Europe, low priority is given to racist and religiously motivated crime in many member states of the European Union (EU). The absence of comprehensive data on hate crimes in most EU member states clearly indicates that the law is not being applied in practice, since there is a weak effort to identify which offenses are motivated by hate. As a result, the specific needs of victims of hate crimes are not being recognized or addressed across much of Europe. To some extent, England and Wales offer a "good practice" example for other member states, but the British model is difficult to replicate in diverse criminal justice jurisdictions. A comparison of offense data-collection mechanisms in England and Wales with those in other EU member states shows that England and Wales are significantly more advanced in distinguishing offenses as motivated by racially and religiously oriented hatred. England and Wales, however, do not provide an example of a vigorous response in collecting the evidence and pursuing the prosecution of crimes motivated by hate that carry distinctive sanctions and require distinctive victim services. A more effective response to such crimes is particularly important as Europe's immigrant communities increase. 24 notes and 36 references