B4-0731/95

Resolution on racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Joint Declaration by the European Parliament, the Council, the representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council and the Commission against racism and xenophobia of 11 June 1986 ((OJ C 158, 25.6.1986, p. 1.)), and all the resolutions adopted subsequently on this subject,

- having regard to the conclusions of its committees of inquiry into racism and xenophobia ((A2-0160/85 and A3-0195/90.)) and its resolutions of 21 April 1993 ((OJ C 150, 31.5.1993, p. 127.)) and 2 December 1993 ((OJ C 342, 20.12.1993, p. 19.)) on racism and xenophobia, 20 April 1994 on ethnic cleansing ((OJ C 128, 9.5.1994, p. 221.)) and 27 October 1994 on racism and xenophobia ((OJ C 323, 21.11.1994, p. 154.)), and insisting again on the recommendations made therein,

- having regard to the conclusions of the Corfu European Council of 24-25 June 1994 on racism and xenophobia,

- having regard to Article 14 of the 1950 Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which stipulates that 'the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in the Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion ... ',

- having regard to Article F(2) of the Treaty on European Union,

A. whereas racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and ethnic cleansing strategies and expulsions have caused great conflicts and suffering to various regions and nations of Europe throughout history, have left deep and lasting wounds and yet are still rampant as the 20th century draws to a close,

B. whereas citizens of the Union exercising their right to freedom of movement and in their daily lives could become victims of racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism,

C. whereas the Commission should investigate the possibility that in the interim an interinstitutional agreement might already allow progress to be made in tackling racism and xenophobia at European level,

D. whereas third country nationals who live in the European Union or visit it must be just as effectively protected against racism, xenophobia, anti- semitism and terrorist attacks as all citizens of the Union,

E. whereas the number of attacks on immigrants of both sexes, refugees and members of minorities have increased in the Member States and have caused several deaths,

F. whereas racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism must be tackled mainly at local and national level,

G. whereas there is nevertheless a fundamentally European dimension, based on free movement of persons and the fact that differences in legislation mean that behaviour or actions which are not permitted in one Member State can still reach that Member State from across the border of an other Member State or from across the external borders of the Community,

H. whereas the ambiguity concerning Community powers to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism has prevented the Community from adopting decisions other than the abovementioned Joint Declaration,

I. whereas one of the Commissioners is designated as being responsible for the fight against racism and xenophobia,

1. Takes the view that the free movement of persons within the European Union and European citizenship, combined with the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, within and outside the Union, require that there must be no racist, xenophobic or anti-semitic action within the European Union;

2. Draws the attention of the Consultative Committee on Racism and Xenophobia to the fact that racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism can only be combated effectively if national policies do not conflict with each other or make it possible to exercise or promote racism, xenophobia or anti-semitism across borders;

3. Urges that the appropriate European Union authorities be asked to ensure that the permissible restrictions on the free movement of goods and persons embodied in Articles 35 and 56 respectively of the EC Treaty on the grounds of 'public policy' or 'public security' should cover all written material, discs, videos, films or any other means of communication, including electronic means, which propagate racial hatred, and persons convicted of having engaged in racist propaganda;

4. Recommends that the Commission should introduce a proposal for an anti- discrimination directive;

5. Deems it necessary for the Commission to study ways in which the Community, whilst respecting the principle of subsidiarity, can act against racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and holocaust-denial at European level;

6. Welcomes the establishment of a European Observatory to monitor incidents of racism and xenophobia in the Union;

7. Believes that, prior to the clear incorporation into the 1996 Treaty of Community competence in this area, there needs to be an interim body to ensure that the Union continues to make progress in this area;

8. Believes that, save for the above, no new or further Community institutions are required, but rather the development of those that already exist and their incorporation into the normal structure of the Union;

9. Wishes that, whenever there is a risk that organizations or people with racist, xenophobic or anti-semitic behaviour make contacts across the borders of a Member State, the criminal aspects should be studied by EUROPOL;

10. Calls on the Member States to train social workers, police and judicial officers to treat minorities in the European Union in a manner commensurate with human dignity and to adopt measures to counter infringements;

11. Insists that after the revision of the treaties, the European Community should be entrusted with clear competencies which empower it to take action, since the problem of racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism, on account of its cross-border nature, cannot be combated efficiently at local level and by the Member States alone;

12. Underlines the essential role which can be played by the media in combating racial hatred and prejudice and promoting tolerance and solidarity; calls on them therefore to make the public aware objectively of the dangers of racism, xenophobia and intolerance;

13. Considers that active youth and education policies giving priority to the fight against intolerance, racism and xenophobia must be introduced and reinforced at national and Community level;

14. Hopes that the Council will fully support an increase of the Community budget available for the fight against racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism and calls on the Commission to support anti-racist associations and initiatives;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Consultative Committee on Racism and Xenophobia, the Council, the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, the Council of Europe and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and applicant countries.