Verbatim report of proceedings

Tuesday, 11 February 2020 - Strasbourg

Fighting against antisemitism, racism and hatred across Europe (debate)

  Anna Júlia Donáth (Renew). – Mr President, recently, in Hungary, an anti-Roma governmental campaign has been launched. The Prime Minister approves of the segregation of Roma children in the countryside, discourages the payment of compensation for the segregation of these children and enrages others by saying that Roma people get this money without doing any work.

Hate speech and openly racist politics are on the rise in many EU countries. They have always been present in society, but in recent years they have been spreading instead of receding. Populist and racist movements have a strong role in this as they build on people’s fear and designate scapegoats: others towards whom to channel negative emotions and fears generated by the changing world.

If we don’t act now this can cause a domino effect, as extremists learn from each other. For example, with the spread of exclusionary law-making practices and propaganda methods. If we do not speak out and take decisive action now they will keep undermining EU values and principles which, like solidarity, respect of human dignity, human rights and non-discrimination will have no role to play in the future of Europe. We must act now.

(Applause from certain quarters)