Print
See related documents
Committee Opinion | Doc. 13602 | 22 September 2014
Counteraction to manifestations of neo-Nazism
Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination
A. Conclusions of the committee
(open)1. To understand the upsurge of neo-Nazism it is necessary
to consider the present state of European society and the challenge
of coming to grips with Europe’s diverse identities. The report
is therefore timely and needed, especially given the growing manifestations
of aggressive nationalism, neo-Nazism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia
in Europe and worldwide.
2. The economic crisis, resulting in economic hardship for many,
may exacerbate intolerance in its various forms and fuel extremist
violence, targeting in particular minorities. While tackling the
root causes of the phenomenon and trying to prevent its manifestations,
it is also important to protect victims. Protection means, among
other things, making sure that victims of neo-Nazi violence have
access to justice.
3. The Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination proposes
four amendments to the draft resolution and draft recommendation
proposed by the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy.
B. Proposed amendments
(open)Amendment A (to the draft resolution)
In the title, after the words “neo-Nazism”, add the words “and right-wing extremism”.
Explanatory note: Some of the phenomena described in the report are linked to individuals and organisations not defining themselves as neo-Nazis. The amendment aims to ensure that the title reflects the scope of the report more clearly.
Amendment B (to the draft resolution)
In the draft resolution, after paragraph 2, insert the following paragraph:
“The Assembly expresses grave concern over the growing trend towards glorification in any form of the Nazi movement, neo-Nazism and former members of the Waffen SS organisation, including through building monuments and memorials and organising public demonstrations. The Assembly recalls that the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal and the judgment of the Tribunal recognised as criminal the SS organisation and all its elements, including the Waffen SS, the division “Galicia” and others.”
Amendment C (to the draft resolution)
In the draft resolution, after paragraph 6, insert the following paragraph:
“The Assembly considers unacceptable any form of tolerance towards the actions of people and organisations practising neo-Nazism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia and transphobia, hatred towards representatives of other peoples or religions, intolerance against Roma people, migrants and national minorities. Such actions must immediately be publicly condemned and the perpetrators should be prosecuted.”
Amendment D (to the draft recommendation)
In the draft recommendation, paragraph 1, after the words “increasing number of manifestations of neo-Nazism (right-wing extremism)”, add the words “, of xenophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia and transphobia, hatred towards representatives of other peoples, religions, intolerance against Roma people, migrants and national minorities”.
C. Explanatory memorandum by Ms Kazakova, rapporteur
(open)1. Introduction
1. I wish to congratulate Ms de Pourbaix-Lundin on her
report. To understand the upsurge of neo-Nazism, it is necessary
to consider the present state of European society and the challenge
of coming to grips with Europe’s diverse identities.
2. Neo-Nazism is not a new phenomenon, but is increasingly widespread,
and has sometimes entered the political and institutional landscape,
including through representation in several parliaments. The report
is therefore timely and needed, especially given the growing manifestations
of aggressive nationalism, neo-Nazism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia
in Europe and worldwide. A better knowledge of neo-Nazism in its various
forms may help preventing it from spreading further. Ms de Pourbaix-Lundin’s
report is a constructive text, aimed at finding ways to eradicate
these phenomena at the national and pan-European level, as well
as to strengthen efforts to prevent the expansion of the scourge
of neo-Nazism.
3. Among the main reasons for the increase in manifestations
of neo-Nazism, the rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs
and Democracy indicates the reaction, mainly by the younger generation,
to the consequences of the financial and economic crisis, as well
as the inability of national governments to create efficient socially
oriented models of society and to develop successful migration policies.
The economic crisis, resulting in economic hardship for many, may
exacerbate intolerance in its various forms and fuel extremist violence,
targeting in particular minorities. All too often, in times of high
unemployment rates and decreasing salaries, for instance, foreigners
– particularly migrants and asylum seekers – easily become scapegoats
for the discontent of other groups.
4. Neo-Nazism, however, is not merely a form of xenophobia. Racism,
including against the Roma, aggressive nationalism, anti-Semitism,
homophobia and the quest for “ethnic purity” are some of its characteristics.
5. I fully share Ms de Pourbaix Lundin’s focus on prevention,
particularly through education, as it appears that youth is a favourite
and easy target for neo-Nazi propaganda. In addition, extremist
groups increasingly rely on social media and other technological
means, particularly popular among the youth, to spread their message
and recruit followers.
6. I wish to recall the comment of the Council of Europe’s Commissioner
for Human Rights, who stated that many European leaders, instead
of dealing with the threat of neo-Nazism, “add fuel to the fire”
by reinforcing the actions of the extreme right-wing political organisations
through their own statements.
7. I would like to use this opinion to recall a number of events
which took place in several Council of Europe member States but
are not mentioned in the report, such as the glorification of former
Nazis and collaborators and the desecration of monuments to members
of the anti-Hitler coalitions. The same applies to annual meetings
and marches of Veterans of the Waffen SS, the demolition of monuments
to anti-fascist soldiers and the building of monuments to former
Nazis. Therefore, it is important to remember that, in accordance
with Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination
of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, to which all member States
of the Council of Europe are Parties, such facts cannot be classified
as a manifestation of the right to freedom of expression, and should
be prosecuted.
8. I deem it necessary to stress that the concept of tolerance
does not apply to the actions of people and organisations practising
the principles of neo-Nazism: xenophobia, anti-Semitism, hatred
towards representatives of other peoples and religions, and intolerance
against migrants and national minorities. The fight against them
must be uncompromising and visible.
2. The role of politicians: no hate speech in political discourse
9. Neo-Nazi propaganda surfs on social discontent and
turns it into violence. Hate speech, even from people who are not
directly linked to right-wing extremism, and particularly from politicians,
may play a role in this process. Politicians have a special responsibility
to lead by example and should always be aware that their words and
deeds may have an influence on people’s mindsets. Respect for all,
irrespective of their origin or status, in the political discourse,
is crucial: hate speech and offensive language targeting specific
groups or individuals may be perceived as a justification for discrimination
against them and even violence. Political leaders should act as
unifying forces, rather than dividing the different elements of
society.
10. The No Hate Parliamentary Alliance, established earlier this
year at the initiative of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination,
is a timely and relevant structure which may make a constructive
contribution to the prevention and counteraction of hate speech.
11. The Alliance is based on a Charter which refers to texts adopted
both by the Parliamentary Assembly and the Committee of Ministers,
as well as to the activities of the European Commission against
Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). It condemns hate speech and manifestations
of intolerance on any grounds as incompatible with the respect of
the fundamental values of the Council of Europe.
12. Members of the Alliance commit themselves to taking open,
firm and proactive stands against racism, hatred and intolerance
on any grounds, to promoting non-discrimination and respect for
diversity, and to raising awareness against racism and intolerance
amongst politicians and civil society, at the national and European levels.
13. In parallel to the Parliamentary Alliance, the Committee on
Equality and Non-Discrimination has established a mandate of General
rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance. Throughout her two-year mandate,
the General Rapporteur, Ms Maria Giannakaki, has the duty to “intervene
in the areas of racism, intolerance, hate speech, racist violence
and racial discrimination”. Her intervention may take various forms,
in particular by contributing to raising awareness on the need to
combat racism and intolerance, following relevant developments in
Council of Europe member States.
14. In performing such important duties, the General rapporteur
on combating racism and intolerance carries out a variety of activities,
by following the work of the various Council of Europe bodies dealing
with racism, intolerance, hate speech, racist violence and racial
discrimination, as well as the work of other organisations, including
national parliaments but also intergovernmental and non-governmental
organisations.
15. I believe that better synergies between the Parliamentary
Assembly and the intergovernmental sector within the Council of
Europe are crucial to strengthen the impact of the activities of
the whole organisation. Co-operation with the working group on hate
speech set up by ECRI would be particularly useful. I find it positive that
the General rapporteur on combating racism and intolerance, together
with the General rapporteur on the rights of LGBT people, will participate
in the next ECRI meeting in December 2014, and will celebrate together Human
Rights Day.
3. A victim-centred approach
16. Neo-Nazism is not an abstract concept: it is a concrete
problem which brings violence into the life of a multitude of people.
While tackling the root causes of the phenomenon and trying to prevent
its manifestations, it is also important to protect victims. Also
in this respect I am in full agreement with Ms Pourbaix-Lundin.
17. Protection means, among other things, making sure that victims
of neo-Nazi violence have access to justice. The surveys conducted
by the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency provide relevant information,
including about the victims’ perception and the vulnerability of
target groups to discrimination and crime. For instance, one in
four people from a minority group said they had been a victim of
a crime at least once in the 12 months preceding the survey. These
figures demonstrate the need for determined action by the national
authorities.