Combating Afrophobia

13.2.2018

Question for written answer E-000893-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Cécile Kashetu Kyenge (S&D) , Isabella De Monte (S&D) , Daniele Viotti (S&D) , Patrizia Toia (S&D) , Enrico Gasbarra (S&D) , David-Maria Sassoli (S&D) , Damiano Zoffoli (S&D) , Caterina Chinnici (S&D) , Brando Benifei (S&D) , Elena Gentile (S&D) , Nicola Danti (S&D) , Paolo De Castro (S&D) , Simona Bonafè (S&D) , Renata Briano (S&D) , Nicola Caputo (S&D) , Silvia Costa (S&D) , Andrea Cozzolino (S&D) , Michela Giuffrida (S&D) , Alessia Maria Mosca (S&D) , Pina Picierno (S&D) , Renato Soru (S&D) , Luigi Morgano (S&D)

The term ‘Afrophobia’ is used to describe racism against dark-skinned people of African descent. The phenomenon is relatively unknown but very widespread and takes shape in the most heinous forms of discrimination with people of African descent being increasingly stereotyped as as threats to security, culture and national identity.

The UN has proclaimed 2015-2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent and prepared a programme of activities, and the Council of Europe recently urged all countries to take proactive measures to counter Afrophobia.

One of the biggest challenges is having the phenomenon recognised as a specific form of racism.

Thanks to the Commission’s efforts, specific measures have been taken to tackle anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

Can the Commission answer the following questions:

• 1.Will the Commission, in the near future, recognise the distinct nature of this form of hatred and racism, propose strategies to coordinate inclusion efforts and adopt action plans containing clear recommendations to the Member States?
• 2.Could it appoint a coordinator for Afrophobia with a similar role to that of the coordinators for anti-Semitism and Islamophobia?