Racial profiling persists across Europe, Council of Europe finds

Law enforcement agencies across Europe continue to engage in racial profiling, according to a new report from the Council of Europe’s human rights watchdog, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). The findings, as reported by Africa News, raise concerns about persistent discriminatory practices within policing and border control operations throughout the continent.

In a report released 28th May, ECRI criticised ongoing use of racial profiling – a practice where individuals are targeted based on ethnicity, skin colour, religion, or nationality rather than any objective evidence or behaviour.

“We’ve noticed that no member state of the Council of Europe is really immune when it comes to racial profiling,” said Bertil Cottier, chair of ECRI, in an interview with Euronews.

The report also highlights emerging threats from advanced surveillance tools, particularly facial recognition technology. While the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act came into force in August 2024 to regulate such technologies, ECRI warns that implementation remains inconsistent across member states.

In France, for instance, facial recognition has been routinely used by police, while Belgium is considering its systematic deployment to track both convicted and suspected offenders. However, research cited by the Council of Europe indicates that facial recognition often misidentifies individuals – raising the risk of discriminatory targeting.

“It is a concern for us. New technologies are always a problem when it comes to discrimination issues,” said Cottier. “We fear that if new technologies are abused then it will enhance the problem.”

To address these challenges, ECRI continues to monitor technological developments and supports the Council of Europe’s efforts to implement a framework convention on artificial intelligence and human rights. A dedicated committee is also drafting specific recommendations on AI’s intersection with discrimination.

While the ECRI report does not single out individual countries, it builds on previous country-specific reviews that exposed deeply rooted issues. France remains a key concern.

“France is one country of concern when it comes to racial profiling,” Cottier stated. “But still we noticed a couple of months ago sadly that our recommendation on combating racial profiling — in particular on tracing the police officers who (incorrectly) stopped people — has been ignored so far.”

In 2023, France’s highest administrative court ruled that the state was failing to address the well-documented practice of racial profiling by law enforcement. Civil society organisations and human rights advocates have warned that these practices damage public trust and deepen social divides.

ECRI echoed those concerns, stating in its report that “racial profiling generates a feeling of humiliation and injustice in society.” The commission emphasised that such practices undermine not only community relations but also the integrity of law enforcement.

“Such practices jeopardise the work of law enforcement officials who comply with the law and police ethics standards, and who are committed to combating racism and racial discrimination,” the report said.

The situation in France reflects a broader European challenge, where systemic racial profiling continues despite legal frameworks and international recommendations.

Africa News/ Maghrebi.org