The report was presented to the European Parliament beginning of December 2003, it provides information on the situation regarding racism and xenophobia in the Community and its Member States, and highlights examples of good practice.

During 2003 the two EU Council Directives on equality were due to be transposed into the legislation of Member States. This report, published by the EUMC in the same year, provides conclusive evidence for the necessity of these Directives, and indicates the need for corresponding anti-discrimination measures in employment.

Concern about the reported rise in Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe following the September 11 terrorist attacks against the US, led the Agency together with the European Commission to organise a series of Round Tables on these themes.

This Report is the central part of a project which the Agency jointly conducted with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Council of Europe's Migration and Roma/Gypsy Division.