B4-1239/95

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 ((A2-0260/85 and A3-0195/90.)) and its resolutions of 21 April 1993 ((OJ C 150, 31.5.1993, p. 127.)) on the resurgence of racism and xenophobia in Europe and the danger of right-wing extremist violence, 2 December 1993 ((OJ C 342, 20.12.1993, p. 19.)) on racism and xenophobia, 20 April 1994 ((OJ C 128, 9.5.1994, p. 221.)) on ethnic cleansing, 27 October 1994 ((OJ C 323, 21.11.1994, p. 154.)) and 27 April 1995 ((OJ C 126, 22.5.1995, p. 75.)) on racism, anti- Semitism and xenophobia, and 15 June 1995 ((Minutes of 15.6.1995, Part II, Item 17.)) on a Holocaust Memorial Day, and insisting again on the recommendations made therein,

- having regard to the conclusions on racism and xenophobia of the Corfu European Council of 24-25 June 1994 and of the Cannes European Council of 25-26 June 1995,

- 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,

- having regard to the final report of the Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophobia as submitted to the European Council in Cannes in June 1995,

A. whereas the existence of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies is in line with the ideals of the European Union and whereas successful measures against intolerance, discrimination and violence caused by racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism are essential if the goal of a closer union among the peoples of Europe is to be achieved,

B. whereas, at the same time, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and ethnic cleansing strategies and expulsions represent the dark side of European history, have left deep and lasting wounds and still persist in many places on our continent,

C. whereas racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism must be met with a package of suitable practical measures, above all where these would be most effective and have most impact, i.e. at local and national level,

D. 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 another Member State or from across the external borders of the Community,

E. whereas the Commission has used the Treaty to take measures in the social field to combat racist phenomena and to strive for non-discrimination, and whereas in this respect further measures are contained in the Social Action Programme for the medium term (1995-1997),

F. whereas some citizens of the Union continue to suffer racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic attacks in their daily lives, in particular when exercising their right to freedom of movement,

1. Welcomes the final report of the Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophobia as an important document to form the basis for the forthcoming work within the Union and its Member States to curb racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism;

2. Regrets that the European Council in Cannes displayed a political unwillingness to adopt an overall strategy against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism;

3. Urges the Council under the Spanish presidency, which has assumed a positive attitude towards the conclusions in the Commission report, to ensure that the Consultative Commission's work is fully utilized;

4. Calls as a matter of urgency on the Spanish Presidency of the Council to do everything in its power to conclude, in time for the next meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 23 November 1995, the discussion on the draft joint action by the Member States on measures to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, an action which should include a requirement concerning conduct by the Member States;

5. Welcomes the progress report from the Chairman of the Reflection Group on the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference which stresses the need to ensure full observance of fundamental rights in the Union, and supports the idea of incorporating provisions concerning the following issues into the EU Treaty:

(a) condemnation of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism and

(b) extension of Article 6 (hitherto of the EC Treaty) to prohibit all forms of discrimination;

6. Calls once more upon the Commission to submit a proposal for an anti- discrimination directive as a matter of urgency;

7. Calls on the Council to send a clear political signal regarding its commitment to the fight against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism by complying with the decisions of the European Parliament under the 1996 budgetary procedure which seek to give financial support to measures designed to implement a global policy of non-discrimination at Union level;

8. Calls on the governments of the Member States to:

- ratify all international instruments concerning the fight against all forms of racial discrimination,

- guarantee the protection of persons against any form of discrimination on grounds of race, colour, religion or national or ethnic origin,

- promote equal opportunities for groups of persons who are most vulnerable to discrimination, particularly women, young people and children;

9. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to promote research and production of educational material and the arranging of international courses, 'round table' discussions, youth exchanges, exhibitions, media campaigns etc. on racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism;

10. Calls for special training programmes for public servants and especially the police and judiciary in order to promote tolerance and understanding of different cultures and to prevent discriminatory behaviour;

11. Calls on the European Ombudsman to submit an annual report on the complaints of Union citizens and to give special attention to incidents with a racist, anti-Semitic or xenophobic background;

12. Is of the opinion that incitement to racism and the production and distribution of and support for racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic material and theses as well as any revisionist claims denying the reality of the Holocaust should be treated as criminal offences throughout the European Union and therefore requests all the Member States to adapt their legislation accordingly;

13. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States to strengthen their support for movements actively participating in the fight against racism and xenophobia;

14. Suggests that the Council transfer the mandate of the Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophobia to the Community institutions in order to ensure adequate co-ordination of the work of the controlling parliamentary body and of the Commission in combating racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism;

15. Considers, however, that this should not occur until the Consultative Commission has completed its current work programme with regard to the establishment of an EU Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia;

16. Urges the Consultative Commission to reiterate its demand for a Treaty change in 1996 to include unambiguously therein the fight against racism and xenophobia;

17. Strongly supports the idea that any EU Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia should be an institution of the EU, that would cooperate with the Council of Europe and be active in combating racism on the basis of its work;

18. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Consultative Commission 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.