B4-0045/97

Resolution on racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism and the European Year against Racism (1997)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Article 14 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1950) which states that 'the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status',

- having regard to Article 19 on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights adopted within the framework of the United Nations which states that the exercise of the right of freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities, including respect for the rights of others,

- having regard to the 1966 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,

- having regard to Article F.2. of the Treaty on European Union which states that 'the Union shall respect fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms... and as they result from the constitutional traditions common to the Member States, as general principles of Community law',

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

- having regard to the conclusions of its Committee of Inquiry into Racism and Xenophobia (A2-0160/85 and A3-0195/90) and having regard to its resolutions of 21 April 1993 on the resurgence of racism and xenophobia in Europe and the danger of right-wing extremism ((OJ C 150, 31.5.1993, p. 127.)), of 2 December 1993 on racism and xenophobia ((OJ C 342, 20.12.1993, p. 19.)) of 20 April 1994 on ethnic 'cleansing' ((OJ C 128, 9.5.1994, p. 221.)), of 21 April 1994 on the situation of gypsies in the Community ((OJ C 128, 9.5.1994, p. 372.)), of 27 October 1994 ((OJ C 323, 21.11.1994, p. 154.)) and of 27 April 1995 ((OJ C 126, 22.5.1995, p. 75.)) on racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism, of 15 June 1995 on a day to commemorate the Holocaust ((OJ C 166, 3.7.1995, p. 132.)), of 13 July 1995 on discrimination against the Roma ((OJ C 249, 25.9.1995, p. 156.)), of 26 October 1995 on racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism ((OJ C 308, 20.11.1995, p. 140.))and of 9 May 1996 on the Commission's communication on racism, xenophobia and anti- semitism ((OJ C 152, 27.5.1996, p. 57.)) and in particular the recommendations contained therein,

- having regard to the conclusions adopted by the European Council at its meetings in Corfu (24-25 June 1994), Essen (9-10 December 1994), Cannes (25- 26 June 1995), Madrid (15-16 December 1995), Florence (21-22 June 1996) and Dublin (13-14 December 1996) on the subject of racism and xenophobia,

- having regard to the resolutions of the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 5 October 1995 on combating racism and xenophobia in the field of employment and the social field ((OJ C 296, 10.11.1995, p. 13.)) and of 23 July 1996 on the European Year against Racism (1997) ((OJ C 237, 15.8.1996, p. 1.)) and the Joint Action of 15 July 1996 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, concerning action to combat racism and xenophobia ((OJ L 185, 24.7.1996, p. 5.)),

- having regard to the reports of the Consultative Committee on Racism and Xenophobia (the Kahn Committee) drawn up for the meetings of the European Council in Essen, Cannes, Madrid and Florence, and the feasibility study submitted by the consultative committee with a view to establishing a European observatory for racism and xenophobia (May 1996),

A. whereas one of the main raisons d'être of the European Union is to prevent racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism,

B. whereas 1997 has been designated European Year Against Racism by the European Union, and the Commission has begun planning activities for this year,

C. whereas the United Nations designated 1995 International Year of Tolerance and the Council of Europe launched a European youth campaign against racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and intolerance, under the slogan 'All different all equal',

D. whereas despite the efforts taken over the last few years by the European Union, its Member States, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, racist and xenophobic attitudes continue to prevail within the European Union, and many citizens of the Union are still subjected in their daily lives to racist, xenophobic and anti-semitic attacks and insults, many of which result in death or permanent injury,

E. whereas this terrible situation is set to deteriorate further owing to the resurgence of egotistical attitudes and the loss of community values and principles,

F. whereas owing to its role in shaping awareness and in nurturing a sense of social responsibility, education plays an important role in combating racism,

G. whereas the situation is such that individual governments have based their foreign policies quite clearly on ethnic considerations,

H. whereas the European Union should itself set a convincing example in combating racism, by carefully scrutinizing its own policies to see whether they contain racist, xenophobic or ethnic tendencies, but above all by promoting initiatives aimed at mutual knowledge and understanding,

I. whereas the economic problems facing the Member States are being exploited by irresponsible politicians and opinion-shapers to fan racism and xenophobia,

J. whereas in the last few decades integration policy in the Member States has been insufficient and ineffective, to the detriment of tolerance, harmony and cooperation in society,

K. whereas the institutions of the European Union and the relevant authorities of the Member States should adopt appropriate and effective practical measures, particularly at local, regional and national level, and coordinate them with other institutions and government authorities,

L. whereas organizations which are independent of government control, such as trade unions, employers' associations, the media, schools and churches have played a key role in combating racism,

M. whereas racism cannot be successfully combated by a political debate alone; whereas what is needed is a comprehensive debate encompassing all reaches of society and the active participation of civil society,

N. whereas it is very important in this connection that representatives of institutions and bodies engaged in combating racism and xenophobia should pool their experience regarding the measures already taken to combat intolerance, discrimination and violence, especially if solidarity within the Community is to be further developed and a close union is to be established between the peoples of Europe,

O. whereas the Union should insist that the candidate countries for accession attach the greatest possible importance to protecting minorities on their sovereign territory, bearing in mind that this is a key criterion for accession to the European Union,

P. whereas in its 1997 Budget the European Parliament set aside resources for measures to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism and for the successful organization of a European Year Against Racism (1997),

Q. whereas the purpose of the European Year Against Racism (1997), is to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism in the long term and to promote the European Idea, namely that harmonious societies characterized by ethnic and cultural diversity are an expression of civilization and that the diversity of the various cultures and traditions constitutes a positive and enriching factor,

R. whereas the consultative committee on racism and xenophobia (the Kahn committee) has demanded the immediate establishment of a European observatory for racism and xenophobia,

S. whereas the Intergovernmental Conference is urged to review the Treaties to see if they contain racist, xenophobic or anti-semitic elements,

1. Welcomes the European Union's official designation of 1997 as 'European Year Against Racism' and hopes that this year will provide an opportunity to combat racism and xenophobia more effectively through the establishment of a European action framework;

2. Wishes, nevertheless, that the funding of the European Year Against Racism should not be carried out at the expense of the initiatives so far supported by the Commission;

3. Condemns in the strongest terms all kinds of racism, xenophobia and anti- semitism as flagrant violations of individual rights and as an expression of intolerance and calls on the governments of the Member States to ensure that foreign communities are protected against racist violence and any form of discrimination;

4. Condemns political leaders who stir up racism and xenophobia for electoral reasons, and expects political parties to remove any kind of racist propaganda from their election programmes;

5. Condemns vehemently any racist statement or publication in the European Parliament;

6. Expresses its profound compassion with the families of those who have died following racist or xenophobic attacks and with persons injured in such attacks;

7. Expresses its regret at racist and xenophobic statements by politicians and parties at national and at European level, and points out that such statements only exacerbate the problem of racism within the Union; distances itself from such politicians and their views and calls on all democratic parties to use all democratic means to ostracize racist movements and groups;

8. Would like to see a further increase in public awareness of the dangers of racism and xenophobia, since these attitudes are diametrically opposed to all the values embodied in Europe, namely the protection of human dignity and the promotion of mutual respect, understanding and solidarity between peoples;

9. Expresses its high regard for the various initiatives launched by the Commission in this sphere, and calls for a reinforcement of the legal instruments, in accordance with its declared desire for measures to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism in all areas;

10. Draws attention to the vital role the media should be playing in denouncing racism and intolerance and promoting tolerance and solidarity, in particular by pointing out the positive contribution which immigrants are making to European society;

11. Considers that the notion of race has no scientific, genetic or anthropological basis, and that this concept can therefore only serve to underpin ethnic, national and cultural discrimination or discrimination linked to colour, since it is based on the erroneous idea that there are separate 'races' which are hierarchically structured;

12. Urges the Council and the Member States to square their immigration and asylum policy with the objectives of European Year Against Racism; takes the view that many of the recent decisions by the Council and the Member States in the field of immigration and asylum policy have contributed towards exacerbating the climate of suspicion towards nationals of third countries and applicants for asylum;

13. Calls on the Member States and the European Union to develop their asylum and immigration policy in close connection with an adequate integration policy in order to avoid inter-ethnic tensions and to promote mutual acceptance;

14. Notes the intention to incorporate in the Treaty measures to prevent and combat racism and xenophobia as a field of activity of Community significance within the framework of the Intergovernmental Conference; remarks however that, within the framework of the first pillar, the European Union should be given responsibility for the development of measures against racism and xenophobia, so that the Commission is given the right to initiate measures, the Council decides by majority voting and the European Parliament acquires powers of co-decision, in order that, within the framework of the first pillar, an anti-discrimination directive can be drawn up as soon as possible; calls once more for binding legal instruments to combat racism and xenophobia at European level;

15. Looks to the Member States to make intensive efforts to honour their commitments on the basis of the above Joint Action of 15 July 1996 concerning measures to combat racism and xenophobia and to implement the recommendations set out in the various resolutions in question;

16. Calls on the Member States to take initiatives on the basis of Article K.1(7) of the TEU in order effectively to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, and the dissemination of negationist theories, by introducing or strengthening penalties and improving the opportunities for prosecution;

17. Calls for non-Community immigrants to enjoy equal treatment with regard to economic and social rights, and the recognition of civic, cultural and political rights, including the right to vote in local elections, for those who have been resident in a Member State for more than five years, in accordance with the Council of Europe convention;

18. Regrets the delays and postponements between the adoption and implementation of legislation, as listed in a comparative study carried out at the behest of the Council of Europe on national legal provisions against racism and xenophobia - in particular in view of the 1966 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and reminds the Member States of their obligation to implement the Convention in its entirety in national legal provisions;

19. Expresses its satisfaction at the proposal to include an anti-discrimination article in the Treaty, but is opposed to the unanimity needed to introduce measures at European level; urges that the Commission should receive the right of initiative in this field, that the Council should decide by majority voting and that the European Parliament should acquire co-decision rights;

20. Calls on the Council to submit to the European Parliament a report setting out which practical measures and strategies it has so far developed with a view to implementing the recommendations contained in the final report of the consultative committee on racism and xenophobia (the Kahn committee), in particular as regards the fields of education, training, the media and information policy,

21. Urges the Council, under the Dutch Presidency, which has adopted a positive attitude towards the conclusions of the report of the consultative committee, to ensure that full use is made of the committee's work;

22. Supports the establishment of a European observatory for racism and xenophobia which will act as the centre of a network of existing organizations and promote the research of these independent organizations, while at the same time ensuring that the duplication of work can be avoided;

23. Welcomes the decision unanimously adopted by the General Affairs Council of 6 December 1996 to set up the observatory for racism and xenophobia (RAXEN) as rapidly as possible; welcomes the fact that the Commission has submitted a proposal in this connection; intends to deliver its opinion on this proposal as soon as possible, and calls on the Council thereafter to make a rapid decision on this matter in accordance with the wishes expressed by Parliament;

24. Expects the observatory to be set up very shortly as a permanent and independent institution of the European Union which will work closely with the Council of Europe, and urges the Council rapidly to reach decisions on budgetary matters and the legal basis for the observatory;

25. Expresses its disappointment at the British Government's objection to a Community basis for the European Union Observatory to monitor racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism; asks it to reconsider its stance;

26. Urges the Council and Commission to consider the possibility of setting aside small sums in the 1997 Budget during the second half of the year, in order to provide for the establishment of the observatory (RAXEN) in 1998 - which depends on Parliament's approval of the Commission proposal;

27. Confirms that the Commission must be accountable to the European Parliament, not least for financial matters, in respect of the observatory and that it must submit a detailed annual report on the activities of the observatory;

28. Takes the view that the observatory, as the centre of a network of existing organizations, should undertake a survey of racist, xenophobic and fascist phenomena and their causes and evaluate existing policies, in order successfully to contribute to an exchange of information and pooling of experience; considers that the observatory should also assume the task of coordination and consultation in respect of appropriate measures and strategies which can be developed and implemented by local authorities, national governments and the European Union;

29. Expresses its satisfaction at the fact that the consultative committee on racism and xenophobia (the Kahn committee) will continue its work until the establishment of the European Observatory for Racism and Xenophobia (RAXEN) in 1998;

30. Urges all those Member States which have so far failed to do so to follow Denmark's example and increase the national resources set aside for combating racism and xenophobia;

31. Takes the view that the European Year Against Racism will only be taken seriously if the institutions of the European Union are themselves prepared to make available the necessary resources;

32. Hopes that, in order to reach the largest possible number of persons, practical measures are taken at various levels, based on the principle of communication, partnership and cooperation with non-government organizations, the media, trade unions, employers' organizations, local and regional authorities, religious organizations, educational institutions, etc.;

33. Calls on the Commission to carefully scrutinize its policy of project funding - in particular in view of the European Year Against Racism - in order to ensure that priority is given to projects which actually reach citizens where they live and actively involve them in combating racism;

34. Urges the implementation of a broad range of activities to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism in the Member States and at European level, including various events concerned with the topics of the European Year which will attract substantial publicity, for example:

- the preparation of practical projects on a local and regional basis,

- high-profile events involving pop groups, sportsmen and other prominent personalities which could take place at the same time in various places in Europe,

- the public award of special prizes for tolerance and understanding,

- ambitious political and cultural events with a trans-border dimension,

- the preparation of exhibitions,

- the promotion of campaigns in the fields of information and communication, including the use of telematic sites,

- the development of pedagogical material,

- youth exchanges,

- the organization of round-table discussions,

- a hearing in the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs involving non-governmental organizations and persons concerned on the subject of racism and xenophobia within the first four months of 1997 as a contribution towards the Year Against Racism (1997);

35. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the consultative committee on racism and xenophobia (the Kahn committee), the Council of Europe and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the countries which have applied to join the Union.