During the plenary session (10-13 February 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on fighting against anti-Semitism, racism and hatred across Europe on 12 February. Statements by Nikolina BRNJAC, State Secretary - Croatian Presidency, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Kati PIRI (S&D, NL) and Frédérique RIES (RE, BE).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

fight against racism and xenophobia (T)

PIRI, Kati (S&D, NL)

fight against antisemitism (T)

RIES, Frédérique (Renew, BE)

BRNJAC, Nikolina (HR)

Fighting against antisemitism, racism and hatred across Europe: extracts from the debate (11/02)

Title: Fighting against antisemitism, racism and hatred across Europe: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Nikolina BRNJAC, State Secretary - Croatian Presidency, On the 6th of December 2018 the EU Member States governments also sent a clear message by adopting a Council declaration on the fight against anti-Semitism and a development of common security approach to better protect the Jewish communities and institutions in Europe. The council notes that anti-Semitic hatred remains widespread and invites EU Member States to take measures to tackle anti-Semitism and improve the security of Jewish communities. Social media is one of the main vehicles enabling hate speech to go wired. One possible remedy against this epidemic is a harmonised and determined European response. In this area, the Council conclusions on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights adopted in October 2017 welcome the measures coordinated by the Commission's High Level Group on combating racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance. 

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, Hatred, racism and anti-Semitism is still today wounding European societies and endangering our diverse societies and the minorities in our midst. The duty of the EU is to prevent history from repeating itself and to uphold the values upon which the Union is based. The Holocaust has shown us where anti-Semitism and racism can lead and its memory is at the very core of the European project of a Europe that protects its Jewish communities and all other minorities.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Values and Transparency, <p>The anti-Semitic attack against the synagogue in Halle is only the most recent example, but on a daily basis minorities become victims of hatred online and off-line. It has been a key priority for the EU to ensure first and foremost the correct transposition and implementation of the relevant EU legislation, including the Race Equality Directive, the Employment Equality Directive and the Framework Decision on racism and xenophobia.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Now today we still witness attacks on Jews and synagogues in Europe, we still see the scapegoating going on and we are still seeing States moving slowly from the values this Union was founded upon. We see our fundamental rights under threat in too many places. So we cannot be silent when Europeans live with a packed suitcase at the door, just in case. We cannot be silent in the face of injustice anywhere. Let&rsquo;s know anyone fighting for justice has a look to Europe and be met, as they have been met, with trucks of excuses that favour political expediency. Our European history has too often been built on the backs of the broken. When we say "Never again", we must mean it and that means taking actions. In conclusion, Roman Kent coined the Eleventh Commandment: "Thou shalt not be indifferent". May it become our guiding principle.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), In 2020 anti-Semitism is on the rise. Hatred and intolerance across the European Union are on a trend of steady growth. Political parties, also in this House, fuel a climate of racism and anti-immigration with their rhetoric. Bid against Jews, against Muslims, migrants, Roma or LGBTI people. And we cannot tolerate populist rhetoric and prejudice and nationalism to become part of mainstream politics, to become the new normal. We cannot allow far right parties such as the AfD in Germany, Fidesz in Hungary, the Lega in Italy to become the dominant voice over public debates.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), <p>We need stronger commitment in the EU against hate speech and racism. And we will continue to fight for an EU in which minorities and vulnerable groups are protected from any form of discrimination, an EU with respect for rule of law and not the rule of a majority.</p>

SOUNDBITE (French), Fr&#233;d&#233;rique RIES (RE, BE), Antisemitism kills still today some Europeans because they are Jews. Still today schools, synagogues and cemeteries have to be protected. One third of the Europeans says he does not know much, or anything about the Holocaust. This memory is essential. The way to bar the road to the racist violence that hits the streets, the cities, the social networks is not to tolerate, it is to condemn, to sanction.