MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the rise of neo-fascist violence in Europe

17.10.2018 - (2018/2869(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statements by the Council and the Commission
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Gilles Lebreton on behalf of the ENF Group

B8‑0488/2018

on the rise of neo-fascist violence in Europe

(2018/2869(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

–  having regard to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,

–  having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

–  having regard to Articles 2 and 10 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU),

–  having regard to the statements by the Council and the Commission of 2 October 2018 on the rise of neo-fascist violence in Europe,

–  having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas Article 10(3) TEU recognises the right of every citizen to participate in the democratic life of the Union and whereas it reflects the rights guaranteed to citizens of Member States by their respective national constitutions;

B.  whereas this provision must be interpreted in the light of Article 2 TEU, which recalls the common values of the Union and its Member States;

C.  whereas politics in a democracy must not involve the use of any form of violence;

D.  whereas for too long violence has been used and legitimised by groups across the political spectrum;

E.  whereas the transfer of power following elections is integral to democracy and cannot legitimise the use of violence;

1.  Condemns all use of violence for political ends;

2.  Considers that the issue of violence used for political ends is too important for it to be exploited for partisan purposes, and that no political violence can be tolerated, whether committed for ideological, economic, social, ethnic, religious, environmental or other reasons;

3.  Warns that the term ‘fascism’ is too often used to discredit a democratic political opposition and to justify unacceptable violence; condemns organisations which use this rhetoric and the political forces which support them;

4.  Calls on all European political parties to refrain from exploiting real or supposed individual excesses in an attempt to undermine the credibility of legitimately elected governments or to demonise legally recognised national or European political formations;

5.  Stresses that criticism of political institutions, ideologies or religions is not in itself a manifestation of fascism, xenophobia or hate speech;

6.  Recalls that combating political violence must not lead de facto to the abandonment of freedom of expression;

7.  Insists that citizens have the right to defend their political ideas by means of actions or demonstrations of any kind, providing they are peaceful and do not cause any damage to property or people;

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