EU to eliminate racism during World Cup

Luxembourg: The European Union's top justice official said the EU will organize an anti-racism campaign and boost cooperation to fight forced prostitution during the World Cup to be held in Germany.

The campaign will also coincide with EU efforts to curb hooliganism and prevent terrorism at the tournament, EU Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini said. Hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world are expected to attend the monthlong competition, which begins June 9.

"We will be able to show to our public that we are united," Frattini said on the sidelines of a meeting of the 25 EU justice and home ministers.

Frattini, who did not go into detail on what the campaign would include, said the measure was meant to address growing concern across Europe that racism is spreading at soccer stadiums, especially among hooligan groups who use race to pick fights among supporters.

World soccer's governing body, FIFA, has already passed tougher rules to curb racist conduct by fans.

The EU ministers were expected to review Germany's security preparations before the World Cup. They were also expected to sign off on better coordination to prevent forced prostitution during the tournament. The EU fears some 40,000 women from poorer Eastern European countries will head to Germany, some against their will.

Other EU measures already adopted include reinforced checks at external EU border points to ensure neither known hooligans or women are smuggled in. Germany is also to temporarily re-impose national border checks.

The EU last year agreed to step up actions to fight human trafficking and stop the sexual and labor exploitation of people.

The plans call for EU governments to set up specialized agencies or police units focused on combating trafficking rings, and better coordinate actions with the EU's Europol police investigations agency.

The plan also focuses on boosting EU cooperation with countries in Africa or elsewhere in Europe that are used by organized crime gangs as bases from which to move illegals into the EU.