ROTTERDAM, 01/07/03 - Discrimination and racism threaten to burgeon into a big problem for society. To turn the tide on negative trends, society must put them high on the political agenda, the National Platform against Racism and Discrimination (NPRD) writes in recommendations to Integration Minister Verdonk.

Discrimination is no longer simply a case of the dominant white majority against the black minority; it also occurs the other way round. Social dividing lines are getting sharper and people are withdrawing into their 'own' circle, according to the platform. "The problems are often the result of new differences, such as those between parts of ethnic-cultural groups and homosexuals, non-Muslims and Muslims and ethnic-cultural groups among them. "

Racism and discrimination can assume undesirable proportions without thorough and persistent tackling, warns the NPRD. "Among other consequences are exclusion from the labour market and apartheid in education and welfare. " The NPRD was set up in April last year and is chaired by former Justice Minister Winnie Sorgdrager.