Debate on combating racism, xenophobia, homophobia and other forms of intolerance, during the EP plenary session (30/11-01/12/2016) in Brussels. Statements by&nbsp;Carlos COELHO (EPP, PT), Claude MORAES (S&amp;D, UK), Catherine BEARDER (ALDE, UK), Kristina WINBERG (EFDD, SE), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, and Ivan KORCOK, Slovak Presidency of the EU.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

MORAES, Claude (S&D, UK)

KING, Julian (UK, EC)

COELHO, Carlos (EPP, PT)

BEARDER, Catherine (Renew, UK)

fight for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (T)

fight against racism and xenophobia (T)

KORCOK, Ivan (SK)

WINBERG, Kristina (ECR, SE)

Combating racism, xenophobia, homophobia and other forms of intolerance: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, The engagement of the European Parliament Intergroup against racism with its high level group is very welcome. We need to join our efforts to achieve common objectives. The group is focussing on issues such as how to improve awareness, enhance the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions, better address underreporting and ensure adequate victims support.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Carlos COELHO (EPP, PT), Specially at times when populisms are on the rise everywhere. The Parliament has to carry on doing its work in various areas combating intolerance. Specially at times populist political speeches are disseminating hate and preaching violence, we should reaffirm and raise awareness on the fact that the tolerance and non-discrimination are fundamental values of the European Union since its foundation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Claude MORAES (S&amp;D, UK), These are millions of our European citizens that deserve protection and we do not see is enough implementation by our Member States. These values still exist today in these difficult times. I would say it entices our values and it entices our cohesion here in the European Union if we are determined to make this happen.

SOUNDBITE (English), Catherine BEARDER (ALDE, UK), This is not the Britain I know, this is not the Europe that I know. The Britain that I know is outward looking, decent and tolerant. The Britain that I know stands out for everyone no matter what their skin colour what their language, who they love or who worship. And it was with these thoughts that if was founded the European Union, as Europe recover from the horrors that inspired the Owen's poem. But in this horizon of risen intolerance there are limits and hope . After the death of Mr J&oacute;źwik, the Polish centre in London was inundated with flowers and messages of sympathy. Brexit or not Brexit, racist, homophobic and hateful speech, must be publicly and forcibly condemned by us all.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Kristina WINBERG (EFDD, SE), Is it racist to want to check on immigration, to want women and children to be safe, is it racist to love one's country and culture? Our citizens have seen enough to raise their concern and that could not be viewed as populism. The EU is fighting intolerance and we are welcoming million of inmigrants from intolerance cultures. How can you ask our citizens to be more tolerant in the face of intolerance?

SOUNDBITE (English), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Can I just for one moment join Ms Bearder and Ms Dodds who recalled the tragic murder of Jo Cox, member of the British parliament and can I just solute her memory and her work promoting tolerance and inclusion.

SOUNDBITE (English), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, We are bound together by our values. One of those values, a key value for me, for us all, is freedom of expression. We are not talking here about limiting freedom of expression, we are talking about our incitement to violence or hatred which is a crime.

SOUNDBITE (English), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, The European Commission will not hesitate to use its power to launch infringement proceedings where these efforts prove unsuccessful, because, as I said at the beginning and its being echoed throughout this debate we are determined to ensure that everyone will be able to enjoy their fundamental rights because we are all entitled to the respect and our rights to non-discrimination, to human dignity, to life, to integrity of the person, and to the protection from violence.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ivan KORCOK, Slovak State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I do not think that we can be successful in fighting xenophobia, antisemitism successfully unless we mobilise our citizens to actively stand against those who are spreading hate in Europe. To mobilise our citizens means of course raising awareness and show courage, a civic grasp in protecting those who are victims of acts which we all know are clearly against values we all share.