Mr President, I too congratulate Mrs Buitenweg on her excellent work. Taking these concrete steps against discrimination shows a willingness to tackle the invisible side of racism which is more underhand and which has insidiously penetrated to the heart of our countries. This daily humiliation and harassment can have serious consequences and, in any case, calls into question the logic of integration. Mr President, Commissioner, I must mention once again the case of the young Strasbourg man who tricked a company in this city two months ago by sending in two exactly identical CVs, one under a French name and the other under a foreign name. You will remember that the author of these CVs was offered an interview for the French-sounding name but received a rejection for the foreign-sounding name. I must also mention the young people who are refused entry to discos solely because they are dark-skinned. It is not difficult to imagine why they then withdraw to their estates and districts where they end up getting together with other socially excluded or ethnic groups in order to have some fun. This discrimination encourages them to withdraw into their identities and further reinforces their marginalisation. This situation becomes even more complicated when you then go to speak to these young people about public-spiritedness and citizenship. This is regarded as an insult because they are affected by discrimination in all areas and at all stages of their lives. It is their little brothers and sisters who are refused places in schools. It is they who are refused access to training courses. It is their families who are refused access to housing and healthcare. As a result, it has always been, and still is, very important to offer victims a protective legal framework. Adopting the report and implementing the directive would send a strong political signal. The European Union could show in this way that it is concerned about the millions of people who live within its territory and that it is positively acting to reduce racial tensions. It would also show that it recognises the diversity of its population which is a feature of its identity. This is the political response to be given to the resurgence of the racist and fascist extreme right in Europe. At a time when some rightly have doubts about the Union, it could in this way also show that it is not just a coalition to defend the economic interests of the rich countries but that it is based on values of freedom, tolerance and solidarity. For all these reasons we must vote for this report. We know that the report and the directive have their limitations and will not solve all the problems. Most countries already have legislation against racism and discrimination, including in some of their constitutions. Yet discriminatory practices are continuing. Clearly, what is often lacking is a real political will to effectively apply these texts. In France last year there were only 14 complaints and convictions for acts of discrimination. No one is fooled by this small number of complaints, particularly not the human rights associations which are being overwhelmed by thousands of calls. Most of the time complaints are filed without being followed up by the police. They are not investigated by the public prosecutors who consider that there are more important cases to be tried. In my opinion, there is nothing more important than improving the lot and the daily life of individual human beings. Increasing the power of the associations, as quite rightly recommended by Mrs Buitenweg’s report, is positive, but governments must not be allowed to offload their responsibilities onto these associations. Ensuring equal rights is a state responsibility. The associations are currently leading the fight against discrimination. They frequently have to take down the complaints, find a lawyer, obtain sufficient legal aid and sometimes chase up court officials themselves to get this discrimination recorded. Mrs Buitenweg’s report recommends giving financial resources to the associations but I find it hard to believe that governments will do this when, at the same time, the economic criteria of the Stability Pact require Member States to reduce their budgets. Neither would I want the payment of a few subsidies to these associations to be used as a pretext for justifying a reduction in the number of police officers or court officials who must now be trained. Finally, another problem still remains which is the differing application of the nationality code. Currently, a young person born in a Member State of foreign parents is faced with two different situations. If born in France, this young person benefits from the nationality code and may be protected by the law if refused access to a job due to discrimination. On the other hand, many second- or third-generation youngsters, born in countries such as Germany or Austria where nationality is conferred by descent, will always remain foreigners and will not benefit from any legal protection. I know this was not the subject of Mrs Buitenweg’s report but I must highlight this as it is regrettable that, in identical situations, such different treatment can exist in the Union. Parliament and the Commission should ask the Council about this issue so that greater coherence can be achieved in all legislation. That apart, I congratulate Mrs Buitenweg and warmly welcome this report. (Applause)

Political group: GUE-NGL