We're becoming worse people - Human Rights First 2007 survey on hate crime.

[demoleft]

There's something Europe (Russia included and good contributor, as we know) and North Europe excel in, in this global political world in which we are beloved exporters of democracy.

It's hate crime.

In its 2007 survey Human Rights First reports that
"Hate crimes have occurred at alarmingly high levels throughout much of Europe and North America. The 2007 Hate Crime Survey documents dozens of hate crime cases, analyzes trends, and discusses the causes and consequences of hate crime violence."

We look a bit more antisemitic, homophobic and Islamophobic than in the past. Good perspective.

"Antisemitic incidents have continued to proliferate throughout Europe, reaching record high levels in some countries. The problem of anti-gay prejudice and violence has in many countries become more visible, with some of the reported acts of violence in 2006 taking place at gay pride demonstrations. Violence motivated by Islamophobia has threatened many Muslim communities, with such crimes occurring amidst a backdrop of highly-polarized debates concerning immigration and Muslim integration."

The fact that China and other less than democratic nations act even worse does not spare us the accusation of becoming growingly worse people, communities, nations.
It is happening to the western culture - to us.
It is no surprise the governments "response to these crimes has been inadequate".
How many times do the governments use these criminals to get rid of people who make a noise in this world, while keeping the hands clean?
Now it's an activist for environment, now it's a gay. Now it's whoever has a doubt about the quality of our spotted democratic flags.

"While a handful of governments engage in systematic monitoring of hate crimes, most governments do not even collect baseline data on the problem."

The survey, http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/discrimination/pages.asp?country=multi&id=1&misc1=landing_page

About Human Rights First, http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/about_us/about_us.asp#