WRITTEN QUESTION P-3088/00 by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Attack on a teacher of Jewish descent by a group of neo-Nazi skinheads.
Date: 2000-09-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, EU programme, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Italy, National Socialism, anti-discriminatory measure, antisemitism, equal treatment, violence

C 113 E/238

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2001

A review of the situation has taken place at approximately two year intervals since the entry into force of
the EEA Agreement, the latest being in 1998. This led to a joint statement (2) in the EEA joint committee
of 26 March 1999 in which Norway declared it had concluded that it accepts the existing Community
acquis, with effect from 1 January 1999, but with derogations in specific areas. It was agreed that the
objective should be maintained that the Community acts concerned should apply fully by 1 January 2001.
A new review of the situation will take place during 2000.

The derogations that Norway has with regard to the classification of polyacrylamide as a carcinogen were
the subject of a ruling on 14 June 2000 by the EFTA Court of
Justice. The case concerned the
interpretation to be given to the joint statements adopted by the EEA joint committee in 1995 and 1999
on this subject.

The EFTA Court interpreted the wording of the 1995 joint statement so that Norway was given the right
to classify substances as carcinogens whilst not being able to label polyacrylamides differently from the
system laid down in Directive 67/548/EEC on dangerous substances and Council Directive 88/379/EEC of
7 June 1988 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member
States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations (3). The Court also
noted that as an exception to a fundamental principle of the EEA Agreement, namely that of the free
movement of goods, the wording in the joint statement should be interpreted narrowly. The wording of
the 1999 joint statement is the same as that of the 1995 joint statement, but with the additional wording
that Norway may apply different provisions regarding impurities, additives or individual constituents with
regard to substances classified as carcinogens. The EFTA Court found that according to the joint statement
Norway may set its own labelling rules regarding concentration limits for carcinogenic substances as
impurities in other substances.

(1) OJ B 196 of 16.8.1967.
(2) OJ C 185, 1.7.1999.
(3) OJ L 187, 16.7.1988.

(2001/C 113 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3088/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(25 September 2000)

Subject: Attack on a teacher of Jewish descent by a group of neo-Nazi skinheads

Luis Marsiglia, a Catholic teacher of Jewish descent, has been seriously injured by three neo-Nazi skinheads
in the city of Verona.

This latest in a long series of attacks has caused considerable concern throughout Italy(cid:146)s Jewish community,
particularly in Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Trieste, Genoa, Livorno and Turin.

The European Parliament has frequently spoken out against all forms of racism and xenophobia, stressing
the dangers of the presence in Europe of groups and movements that openly endorse violent forms of
racial intolerance.

What urgent action does the Commission intend to take to prevent outrageous attacks of this kind on
European citizens of Jewish descent or members of any other minority?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 2000)

The Commission is extremely concerned about the series of anti-semitic attacks in Italy. It deplores such
acts and extends its sympathy to the victims and their families. Such violence is intolerable in the Union,
which is based on the principles of liberty, democracy and respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms
and the rule of law.

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/239

The Treaty of Amsterdam reinforced the Union(cid:146)s legal instruments to deal with racism and xenophobia in
Europe. The provisions of the Treaty on European Union on police and judicial co-operation in criminal
matters expressly state that the Union will take steps to prevent and combat racism and xenophobia. The
new Article 29 of the EC Treaty cites the prevention and combating of racism and xenophobia as one of
the prime objectives of efforts to achieve an area of freedom, security and justice.

On the basis of former Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, the Council adopted on 15 July 1996
a Joint Action concerning action to combat racism and xenophobia (1). The main objective was to facilitate
effective judicial co-operation between the Member States to deal with the problem, by preventing
perpetrators from taking advantage of differences in legislation within the Union in order to escape
justice. A second report on the implementation of the Joint Action is due for the end of the year 2000. On
the basis of the results of this report, the Commission will assess the need for other measures in this field
which could cover, for example, the spread of this type of crime on the Internet.

On the basis of Article 13 of the EC Treaty, the Council has taken action to combat discrimination,
including discrimination based on race or ethnic origin (Council Directive of 29 June 2000, 2000/43/EC
implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin (2)).
The Council and the Parliament are continuing to work on the proposal for a directive establishing a
general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (3). A Commission proposal for a
Council decision establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination is also pending
before the Council and the Parliament (4). In addition, the Commission will promote awareness raising
campaigns to combat racism and xenophobia, especially in the education field.

The European Monitoring Centre on racism and xenophobia in Vienna monitors the situation in the Union
and collects information about the prevalence of racism and the effectiveness of means to prevent and
fight it. Its prime objective is to provide the Community and its Member States with objective, reliable and
comparable data on the phenomena of racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism, in order to help them when
they take action or determine measures within their respective spheres of competence. The Centre can also
formulate conclusions and opinions for the Community and its Member States. National authorities are
responsible for dealing with specific incidents and for putting in place measures to prevent racism, using
support from Community programmes and, where it is useful, from the Monitoring Centre.

(1) OJ L 185, 24.7.1996.
(2) OJ L 180, 19.7.2000.
(3) COM(1999) 565 final.
(4) COM(1999) 567 final.

(2001/C 113 E/262)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3090/00

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(25 September 2000)

Subject: Macedonian language in Greece

Languages are part of the richness of Europe. With the next European Year of Languages, the European
institutions have shown the need to prioritise this issue. Beyond the official recognition of some national
languages in the European institutions, it is also vital that the Union and its Member States attend to the
protection of Europe(cid:146)s linguistic and cultural diversity, especially the lesser used languages.

Several international charters recognise the right of citizens to maintain and develop their own languages.
On 16 March 2000, the European Parliament voted for such a reference in its report on a European Union
Charter of Fundamental Rights.