The Council of Europe has called on Greece to curb aggression against migrants and discrimination against Roma people in a report released on Tuesday. The report states that xenophobia is on the rise in Greece and urged the country to work with non-governmental organizations to “develop a comprehensive national strategy to combat racism and intolerance”.

“Despite steps forward problems persist, including worrying levels of xenophobia and violence against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and the ongoing segregation of Roma children in some schools,” said Christian Ahlund, the chair of the council’s Euroepan Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). The report follows a visit to Greece by the ECRI that states that despite progress there are some issues that are of concern.

“Public and political discourse is widely permeated by hate speech against migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, who often become targets of racist violence.”

The report pointed to failed integration plans that have left 265,000 Roma citizens, 2.5% of the population, marginalized. The commission made recommendations concerning this.

The ECRI also calls on Athens to offer judiciary training to officials so that new laws can be enforced to impose stricter sentences for “hate crimes”. Furthermore, a broad-based public campaign to denounce racist attitudes should be launched.

On the plus side, the ECRI welcomed the enforcement of the long-overdue anti-racism law as well as the appointment of public prosecutors to deal with acts of racist violence and the creation of a special police force to tackle racist attacks.