MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
19.1.2005
pursuant to Rule 108(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit and Monica Frassoni
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on racism and anti-Semitism
B6‑0070/2005
European Parliament resolution on racism and anti-Semitism
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Articles 2, 6, 7 and 29 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 13 of the EC Treaty, which commit the Member States to upholding the highest standards of human rights and non-discrimination, and to the European Charter of Fundamental Rights,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism of 27 October 1994, 27 April 1995, 26 October 1995, 30 January 1997 and 16 March 2000,
– having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 establishing a European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia and the report ‘Manifestations of anti Semitism in the EU 2002-2003’ published by the EUMC in October 2003,
– having regard to the Berlin Declaration of the Second OSCE Conference on Anti‑Semitism, held in Berlin on 28-29 April 2004, and to the Special Representative for Anti-Semitism recently appointed by the OSCE,
– having regard to the Stockholm Declaration of the International Forum on the Holocaust held in Stockholm on 26-28 January 2000, which called for increased education on the Holocaust,
– having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas 27 January, the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in Poland, is an occasion to address the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism in Europe,
B. whereas racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic and anti-Islamic violence and discrimination have increased within the EU in recent years,
C. whereas it is essential to pursue action to combat racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia in all their forms by supplementing and strengthening the instruments available at EU level,
D. whereas racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia are a direct violation of the principles of freedom and democracy and the fundamental values shared by the EU Member States, as set out in Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights,
E. whereas Article 13 of the EC Treaty prohibits all forms of discrimination, particularly those based on ‘racial’ or ‘ethnic’ origin and religion or belief,
F. whereas the current EC legislation has proved inadequate and whereas there is therefore an urgent need for the Council to adopt the proposal for a framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia (COM(2001)664) tabled by the Commission in 2001 and still pending before the Council,
G. whereas such a framework decision will lead to a genuine approximation of national criminal law and will resolve the problem of dual criminal liability,
H. emphasising that the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia does not run counter to the principles of freedom of expression and non-discrimination, whose abuse must be duly punished,
I. whereas anti-Semitism continues to be manifested through attacks on, and desecration of, synagogues, cemeteries, Jewish schools, Jewish cultural centres and other religious sites, as well as against members of Jewish communities in Europe, causing numerous injuries, and contributing to an atmosphere of fear and insecurity,
J. whereas anti-Semitism has assumed new and deadly forms and expressions, which pose a threat to democracy and the values of civilisation,
K. whereas it is advisable to take into account in particular the emergence of a new form of anti-Semitism, caused – but in no way justified – by the conflict in the Middle East, and whereas it is advisable to draw up answers and policies that take account of this new reality,
1. Pays homage to all the victims of the Nazis and is convinced that lasting peace in Europe must be based on remembrance of its history;
2. Reject and condemns revisionist views as shameful and contrary to historical truth;
3. Calls on the Council and the Member States to:
- –condemn all intolerance, incitement, harassment or violence,
- –likewise condemn without reserve all forms of racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and xenophobia, be they traditional forms or new expressions,
- –condemn all attacks motivated by religious or racial hatred or intolerance, including attacks against synagogues and other religious places, sites and shrines;
4. Urges the Council immediately to adopt the proposal for a framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia (COM(2001)664), which will lead to a genuine approximation of national criminal law and will resolve the problem of dual criminal liability;
5. Urges the European Council and the Commission, as well as the various levels of local, regional and national government in the Member States, to take all necessary steps to coordinate their actions to combat racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia;
6. Urges the European Council and the Commission to encourage new ways to use Holocaust education as a tool to fight racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia;
7. Calls on opinion leaders and decision makers to refrain from exacerbating, intentionally or otherwise, by their attitude or speech, a climate of racism and latent xenophobia, particularly as regards migration and asylum policies;
8. Asks for initiatives to be taken to encourage intercultural dialogue, in particular between the three monotheistic religions and between the different ‘ethnic’ groups living in the EU;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and candidate countries.