"I Can Stop and Search Whoever I Want"—Police Stops of Ethnic Minorities in Bulgaria, Hungary and Spain

The Open Society Justice Initiative has released a book examining ethnic profiling by police in Europe. Although this violation of fundamental human rights is a widespread practice, it is little understood and concrete data are scarce.

"I Can Stop and Search Whoever I Want"—Police Stops of Ethnic Minorities in Bulgaria, Hungary and Spain fills major gaps in what is known about ethnic profiling by police—a practice that has not been expressly outlawed by any European government. Using quantitative data as well as interviews with police officers and members of minority groups, the book looks closely at the practice in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Spain—three countries whose significant minority populations make them the face of a changing Europe.

Combining statistical analyses, first-person accounts, and policy recommendations, "I Can Stop and Search Whoever I Want" makes clear that ethnic profiling occurs in all three countries and is discriminatory and ineffective in combating crime. It recommends concrete steps to improve policing and curb this pernicious practice.

The 106-page book is available for download from this page or from the Open Society Justice Initiative website.