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Reply to Recommendation | Doc. 13749 | 10 April 2015
Counteraction to manifestations of neo-Nazism and right-wing extremism
1. The Committee of Ministers has carefully
examined Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 2052 (2014). It has
forwarded it to a certain number of bodies for
information and comments.
2. The Committee of Ministers fully shares the Assembly’s profound
concern at the rise of neo-Nazism in Europe, which is totally at
variance with the values of respect for human rights, tolerance
and mutual understanding promoted by the Council of Europe. It is
necessary to resolutely combat all forms of extremism while complying
with the standards set out in the relevant Council of Europe instruments,
in particular the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5).
3. Like the Parliamentary Assembly, the Committee of Ministers
considers that concerted action by all the member States is essential
if manifestations of neo-Nazism are to be effectively combated.
Action to this effect is already being taken by various Council
of Europe bodies, such as the European Commission against Racism and
Intolerance (ECRI) or the youth sector. Particular mention may be
made of the campaign currently in progress against hate speech,
and of the country monitoring reports and general policy recommendations
of ECRI, which has decided to undertake work on a new recommendation
concerning hate speech in public discourse. The Committee of Ministers
can only encourage these actions and calls on the governments of member
States to play an active part, where possible, in their implementation
in order to maximise their impact.
4. Where the Committee of Ministers itself is concerned, it has
already had occasion to take several initiatives regarding the fight
against extremism, including neo-Nazism, and its manifestations.
In this connection, the Committee refers in particular to its Recommendation
Rec(97)20 on hate speech. More recently, the Committee held a thematic
debate in September 2013 on the role of the Council of Europe in addressing
the rise of extremism. During this debate, the same concerns as
those of the Assembly were expressed in response to the rise of
extremism, including neo-Nazism, in Europe. Initiatives and good
practices developed in several member States were also mentioned,
notably as a means of raising awareness among those concerned and
promoting tolerance and integration.
5. Following this thematic debate, the Committee adopted several
decisions which partially meet the Parliamentary Assembly’s recommendations.
Believing that it is for States in the first instance to take action
to address this issue at national level, it urged them to pursue
effective national policies in this area and to share their good
practices for combating the threats associated with extremism, in
line with what the Assembly suggests in paragraph 2 of its recommendation.
6. In the same spirit, the Committee will carefully consider
possible follow-up action to the Assembly’s recommendations contained
in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 when preparing the next biennium, while
also taking into account the relevant conclusions and recommendations
contained in the Secretary General’s report on the situation of
human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.
7. With regard to recommendation 3.3, in the absence of consensus,
the Committee of Ministers is not in a position to declare 22 July
“European Day for Victims of Hate Crime”.
8. Lastly, the Committee of Ministers has decided, as requested
by the Assembly, to bring to the attention of the member States
the specific recommendations contained in Resolution 2011 (2014).