STRASBOURG, France
EU members should adopt national action plans to combat the rise in extreme nationalism and hate speech, the European Commission on Racism and Intolerance has reported.
The commission’s annual report, published Thursday, noted that hate speech "continues to be a major problem across Europe" and said it will examine measures taken by EU member states to address the phenomenon, including the possibility of criminalizing certain forms of expression against vulnerable groups such as Roma, migrants, Muslims and Jews.
National plans should fight racism and discrimination by communicating "a positive image and the advantages of a diverse society," the commission, a human rights body of the Council of Europe known as the ECRI, said.
This year’s European elections were marked by a rise of the far right, with 24 seats gained by the Front National in France, three seats for the Greek Golden Dawn Party, three to the Hungary’s Jobbik Party and the first neo-Nazi MEP from Germany.
Such parties are also represented in national parliaments and even contribute to coalition governments.
Highlighting asylum seekers and refugees, the report noted that "asylum policies have become more restrictive in some countries and drastic measures – including border fences – have been taken to keep migrants out." Refugees have also been subject to hate campaigns.
“ECRI urges European governments to ensure that all persons in their territory can access basic human rights regardless of their immigration status,” Chairman Christian Ahlund said. “We are asking them to establish mechanisms whereby irregular migrants are able to report abuses freely.”
He also stressed the need for action against racism in sport "such as campaigns featuring some of the great stars of the World Cup in Brazil."
www.aa.com.tr/en
