WRITTEN QUESTION E-3164/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (13 October 1997)

Subject: Further information concerning the CERA annual report 'Extremism in Europe'

In May 1997 the European Centre for Research and Action on Racism and Anti-Semitism published, with the financial support of the European Commission, a study entitled 'Extremism in Europe'. This report has already been the subject of at least two parliamentary questions to the Commission, P-1940/97 ((OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 160.)) and E-2047/97 ((OJ C 21, 22.1.1998, p. 136.)), which pointed out that the report presents a distorted view of the facts and offends the sensibilities of political forces or entire Member States in the Union, which are unfairly accused of practising or encouraging racism and xenophobia. In reply to the questions the Commission declined all responsibility for the publication, saying that it was not an official Commission document, although various newspapers had presented it as such. However, the rules on Commission sponsorship state that the Commission's moral support is given on the understanding that the event concerned must not offend the sensibilities of a section of public opinion in one or more Member States, an approach which also constituted one of the guidelines for the submission of reports in connection with European Year Against Racism. It seems logical that the same requirement should be essential for financial as well as moral support.

In view of this, can the Commission say:

1. whether it does not consider that the CERA publication, for a scientific report, contains too many political assessments which offend people's sensibilities and the dignity of organizations and countries which have been subjected to inaccurate judgments;

2. whether the complaints about the publication will prompt the Commission to take steps, in particular to withdraw the funding granted to CERA;

3. what its attitude will be to any future requests from CERA for support for similar initiatives?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1997)

The 'European Centre for Research and Action on Racism and Anti-Semitism' is sponsored by a committee made up of the President of the European Parliament, the former President of the Commission and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. Since 1993, further to the European Parliament Resolution of 21 April 1993 on the resurgence of racism and xenophobia in Europe and the danger of extreme right-wing violence, the Centre has received an annual subsidy for carrying out projects, under budget heading B3-4114.

A subsidy has been awarded for an updating of the publication in question in 1997, to cover the question of Islamic fundamentalism and its networks on the Continent. This new edition will include the disclaimer: 'This publication has been produced on the initiative of the CERA, with financial support from the Commission. However, the opinions expressed herein are attributable solely to the CERA and do not necessarily reflect those of the Commission or the other Community institutions'.

It is at Parliament's initiative that a substantial sum has been set aside for the CERA each year under the budget heading 'Measures to combat racism'.