After six years of negotiations, European Union justice and interior ministers have agreed on new rules for combating race and hate crimes across the EU. The April 19 agreement was welcomed by officials as an important step. But some have expressed disappointment that the rules have been watered-down, in an effort to win everyone's agreement.

Mental health services in England and Wales have been accused of being institutionally racist. In this week's BMJ, two senior doctors say that, although services are pioneers in moving towards equity, they have some way to go before they meet the challenges of a multi-cultural society.