People seeking protection in Europe receive different treatment depending on their origin, skin color and religion. That’s according to the annual report of the Council of Europe Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published on Thursday (June 20).

While the authors of the report welcomed the "admirable efforts" made to take in "persons displaced from Ukraine", they criticized "significant differences" in the quality of reception of those who fled Ukraine and "other people benefiting from international protection".

Reception centers for people displaced due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, for instance, were on average better equipped than those for people seeking protection from other countries, the report found.

Another example cited in the report is how Ukrainian Roma with Ukrainian citizenship were offered worse accommodation in some countries than others.

Some EU member states had "further restricted access to asylum for non-Europeans", ECRI explained, stating that "all persons displaced by war and other emergencies should be offered protection swiftly."

NGOs and UN agencies, among others, have criticized the treatment of third-country nationals who also fled from Ukraine to the EU since the beginning of the war in February 2022. According to ECRI, some governments continue to restrict access to asylum for non-Europeans -- despite support for displaced Ukrainians.

Days after Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union activated the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), a set of measures meant to provide immediate but time-bound assistance to displaced people. It allowed millions of fleeing Ukrainians to immediately access healthcare, welfare, housing and employment.

It also gave Ukrainians almost the same rights and privileges as local nationals. Third-country nationals who also fled Ukraine, however, haven't been enjoying the same privileges.

Read more: IOM takes stance against discrimination of non-Ukrainian refugees

Concerns over rise 'hostile' rhetoric, rise in antisemitic acts

The 54-page ECRI report also found that in some Council of Europe (CoE) member states, there has been a "significant increase in anti-immigrant statements."

Newcomers are often portrayed as a threat to national security or national identity, ECRI alleges, while politicians use derogatory statements with the aim to create a hostile atmosphere against migrants. Another reason, according to the report, is to gain political advantage, for example with regard to elections.

In the case of displaced Ukrainians, the dominant narratives remained those of solidarity and support, according to ECRI. However, the organization also noted that a number of anti-Ukrainian hate incidents have also been reported in recent years, especially in places where the local population is experiencing growing social and economic problems.

In the report, ECRI also voiced concerns about a "sharp rise in antisemitism" since the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas on Israel in several European countries. Hamas is considered a terror organization by the EU as well as the US, Germany and several other countries.

Read more: As Europe shifts further right, migrants fear for their futures

Increase in incidents 'motivated by hatred against Muslims'

In addition to a rise in antisemitic acts, ECRI expressed concern about the "significant increase" in incidents "motivated by hatred against Muslims".

"We have noted numerous cases of public debates using the threat of a so-called Islamization of European societies for purely electoral purposes," said ECRI Chairman Bertil Cottier.

According to the report, "individuals wearing visible religious symbols or traditional dress were sometimes portrayed as being associated with terrorism or extremism. "This is particularly the case for Muslim schoolgirls in some countries."

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) is made up of experts in the fight against racism, antisemitism, xenophobia and homophobia, who are appointed by the Council of Europe member states. The committee regularly assesses the situation in the 46 Council of Europe countries. It prepares reports and issues recommendations to member States.

The Council of Europe, not to be confused with the European Council, is a leading European human rights organization. It comprises 46 member states from Iceland to Georgia, and aims to create a closer union based on the standards of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

with AFP, KNA