In order to draw attention on the intersectionality of racism and the consequences of the pandemic on different segments of the population, the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism – ECCAR has issued a declaration calling decision makers for an inclusive fight against COVID-19 that takes into consideration both the social and racial inequalities of our societies.
Measures adopted to contrast its spread might disproportionally affect migrants and refugees’ health, education and economy. For instance, information on the virus and health services are less accessible to refugees and migrants due to language barriers and uneven distribution of health care.
The homeless and asylum seekers in refugee camps on European borders are unable to go into lockdown and adopt efficient social distancing measures imposed by governments. This makes them more exposed to the virus. Home schooling or smart working are not an option for those who do not have a computer and an internet connection at home. The number of migrants working in the service sector will not earn any income until restrictive measures to halt the pandemic will be lifted.
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ECCAR is a network of more than 130 cities committed to sharing experiences in order to improve their policies to fight racism and all forms of discrimination. The network aims to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights, respect for diversity in Europe, tolerance in all fields of culture and mutual understanding among peoples. In 2016, the members of ECCAR published the Toolkit for equality, which provides practical guidance to local authorities to effectively counteract racism and racial discrimination in cities.
The European Coalition of Cities Against Racism – ECCAR is part of UNESCO's International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities – ICCAR.
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, launched in 2004, is a city-level platform that undertakes a wide range of initiatives – from policymaking, capacity-building to awareness-raising activities. It advocates for global solidarity and collaboration to promote inclusive urban development free from all forms of discrimination.
The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of UNESCO. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the article do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries.
