MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on strengthening the fight against racism and xenophobia

6.3.2013 - (2013/2543(RSP))

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and the Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Manfred Weber, Véronique Mathieu Houillon, Salvatore Iacolino, Roberta Angelilli on behalf of the PPE Group
Timothy Kirkhope on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0121/2013

B7‑0121/2013

European Parliament resolution on strengthening the fight against racism and xenophobia

(2013/2543(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Articles 10 and 67 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which state that the Union is to aim to combat discrimination and ensure a high level of security through prevention of racism and xenophobia,

–   having regard to Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which prohibits any discrimination based on any grounds such as race, ethnicity or language, religion or membership of a national minority,

–   having regard to Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA of 28 November 2008 on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law,

–   having regard to Directive 2012/29/EU of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime,

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March in response to the murder of 69 anti-apartheid demonstrators in South Africa in 1960;

B.  whereas it is essential to remember the massacres based on racism and xenophobia that have occurred in Europe’s history and to keep their memory alive;

C. whereas the European Union was built on the idea of preventing war and moving forward together;

D. whereas the European Union is based on the common values of respect for human rights and the rule of law and is underpinned by the promotion of tolerance;

E.  whereas Council Framework decision 2008/913/JHA on combating racism and xenophobia is due to be revised in November 2013;

F.  whereas the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights stressed in a report published in November 2012 that hate crimes are a reality in the EU and present a threat to many individuals, and to society as a whole;

G. whereas a special Eurobarometer opinion poll showed in 2012 that discrimination still occurs in the EU Member States and that its most widely perceived motivation is ‘ethnic origin’;

H. whereas a debate took place in an informal Justice and Home Affairs Ministers’ meeting in January in Dublin on EU actions to counter hate crimes, racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and homophobia;

1.  Stresses that intolerance and discrimination of all kinds must never be accepted in the European Union;

2.  Notes with concern that hate-motivated crimes such as racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, extremism and intolerance are still a reality in Europe;

3.  Calls on the Member States to stay vigilant in times of economic crisis in order to prevent the temptations of growing intolerance and scapegoating;

4.  Calls on the Member States to prevent racism and xenophobia through an active promotion of tolerance, and underlines the crucial role of education in this matter;

5.  Recalls the importance for every citizen to be well aware of their rights in terms of protection against hate crimes;

6.  Calls on the Member States to take all appropriate measures to encourage the reporting of hate crimes and every racist and xenophobic crime and to ensure adequate protection for persons reporting crimes and the victims of racist and xenophobic crime;

7.  Calls on the Member States to ensure efficient investigation and prosecution of crimes relating to racism and xenophobia;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President of the European Council, the Council, the Commission and the parliaments and governments of the Member States.