A new study by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has highlighted that racist policing is under-reported in the European Union. "Racist comments, more frequent stops, and even violence - this is how people of different ethnic backgrounds experience policing in Europe.

A new study by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has highlighted that racist policing is under-reported in the European Union. "Racist comments, more frequent stops, and even violence - this is how people of different ethnic backgrounds experience policing in Europe. Yet, the lack of national data makes it difficult to fully assess the magnitude of the problem and design effective responses, finds the first ever EU-wide report on racism in policing from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)," the report read. Lack of data on racist incidents involving police According to the EU agency's report, "the number of officially recorded incidents of police racism is very low. This makes it impossible to assess the prevalence of the issue." But the low number of such cases does not mean that it doesn't happen. The agency said that most EU countries don't officially or improperly collect data on racist incidents involving police. The lack of the data, according to FRA "makes it difficult to fully assess the magnitude of the problem and design effective responses." Also read: San Francisco issues apology to African Americans for 'institutional racism' Lack of recruitment policies to improve ethnic diversity The report also highlights that countries across the EU are lacking recruitment policies to improve ethnic diversity. "Ensuring a more diverse police force that represents society is crucial for effective and trustful policing. In most countries, there is no data on ethnic diversity within police forces. This makes it impossible to track the career development of police officers with ethnic backgrounds, and the impact this may have on policing practices. EU countries should focus on increasing diversity in police forces and keep track of their efforts," the report said. Last year, FRA found that black people in the EU countries are facing higher levels of discrimination. 45 per cent of the respondents in the EU survey said that they have been affected by racism which was 6 per cent up from 2016.

Racist policing massively under-reported in the European Union, report finds

One in five people in the European Union, or more than 92.4 million of the bloc's population experienced poverty, said a United Nations report. This amounts to 21.1 per cent of the population experiencing poverty. The observation has been made by Olivier De Schutter, a UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, who interviewed dozens of EU officials to make his assessment.

De Schutter warned that the EU institutions -- which include the commission, the European Central Bank and the council of ministers -- must use the current covid crisis to "reinvent themselves" to fight poverty.

He also criticised EU&nbsp;policymakers for being focussed on austerity and balanced budgets rather than lifting tens of millions of Europeans out of poverty.

Currently, "EU member states are asked to be competitive and lean: they are pardoned for not being social enough," said the report.

EU member states all too often "compete with each other in very unhelpful ways", stifling social progress.

"They race to the bottom by lowering taxes, wages, and worker protections because they think that's how they can attract investors and improve... competitiveness," said De Schutter.

He also slammed the EU's much vaunted Green Deal, a vast programme that is meant to ensure the EU becomes carbon neutral by 2050.

"The fight against poverty is the missing piece of this Green Deal" even though it was presented as a key component, he said.

"But as long as this good intention is not translated into concrete actions, millions will continue to struggle for a decent standard of living in a society that leaves them behind."

He urged the EU to implement its so-called European Pillar of Social Rights, which should include minimum income guarantees and legally binding targets to erase poverty.

It "is an opportunity that should not be wasted," he said.&nbsp;

One in five people in the European Union, or more than 92.4 million of the bloc's population experienced poverty, said a United Nations report. This amounts to 21.

One in five people in the European Union, or more than 92.4 million of the bloc's population experienced poverty, said a United Nations report. This amounts to 21.1 per cent of the population experiencing poverty. The observation has been made by Olivier De Schutter, a UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, who interviewed dozens of EU officials to make his assessment. De Schutter warned that the EU institutions -- which include the commission, the European Central Bank and the council of ministers -- must use the current covid crisis to "reinvent themselves" to fight poverty. He also criticised EU policymakers for being focussed on austerity and balanced budgets rather than lifting tens of millions of Europeans out of poverty. Currently, "EU member states are asked to be competitive and lean: they are pardoned for not being social enough," said the report. EU member states all too often "compete with each other in very unhelpful ways", stifling social progress. "They race to the bottom by lowering taxes, wages, and worker protections because they think that's how they can attract investors and improve... competitiveness," said De Schutter. He also slammed the EU's much vaunted Green Deal, a vast programme that is meant to ensure the EU becomes carbon neutral by 2050. "The fight against poverty is the missing piece of this Green Deal" even though it was presented as a key component, he said. "But as long as this good intention is not translated into concrete actions, millions will continue to struggle for a decent standard of living in a society that leaves them behind." He urged the EU to implement its so-called European Pillar of Social Rights, which should include minimum income guarantees and legally binding targets to erase poverty. It "is an opportunity that should not be wasted," he said.

More than 92 million people in EU experience poverty: UN report

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Racist policing massively under-reported in the European Union, report finds

More than 92 million people in EU experience poverty: UN report