Continuing the fight against racism and intolerance

Motion for a Recommendation

Doc. 7867

3 July 1997

presented by Mr Victor Ruffy and others

Access to hitherto secret archives, in both the countries of the former Eastern bloc and the western world, and the new political conjuncture in Europe are making it necessary to reconsider certain episodes in the history of the Second World War that had remained in the dark.

The Jewish communities and organisations are reminding international, and above all European, public opinion of the tragedy of the holocaust and calling on certain governments, including Switzerland's, to break the silence surrounding a number of historical events which had tragic consequences. They are also seeking compensation on behalf of the survivors of the Shoah and their descendants.

Many countries, such as Portugal, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland, have reacted positively to these requests by setting up committees of historians responsible for uncovering the hidden evidence of the blatant anti-Semitism which prevailed before, during and after the war.

Their work will show how widespread and deep-rooted such attitudes were throughout Europe.

Europe will be strong in so far as its member countries are clear about a number of values and the behaviour they entail. In an effort to combat racism, xenophobia, intolerance and anti-Semitism, the Council of Europe successfully ran a campaign entitled "All different - all equal".

As a conclusion to that campaign, on 3 May 1996 the Committee of Ministers invited member States' governments to incorporate the fight against racism and intolerance into their national policies, particularly with regard to training of teachers, trainers, journalists, social workers and public officials.

In keeping with that campaign, and in fact as an extension of it, the Council of Europe has a duty to ensure that the historical work currently being done at the European level is highlighted.

The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers take all necessary steps to ensure that the Council of Europe:

1. takes action to monitor the work of the committees of historians in various countries and even sends representatives to any international conferences that may be organised;
2. prepares a summary of such work;
3. invites education authorities to review the content of textbooks and, where necessary, take account of the new evidence uncovered by that work.

Signed: (1)

Ruffy, Switzerland, SOC

Briane, France, EPP

Brunhart, Liechtenstein, EPP

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Dzasokhov, Russia, SOC

Gelderblom-Lankhout, Netherlands, LDR

Gonzalez Laxe, Spain, SOC

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Hoeffel, France, EPP

Hunt, United Kingdom, EDG

Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Kitov, Bulgaria, EPP

Laakso, Finland, UEL

Laternser, Liechtenstein, EPP

Loutfi, Bulgaria, LDR

Pereira Marques, Portugal, SOC

Martelli, Italy, EDG

Meier, Liechtenstein, EPP

Newall, United Kingdom, EDG

Piatkowski, Poland, EPP

Severinsen, Denmark, LDR

Staes, Belgium, EPP

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Note: 1 SOC: Socialist Group

EPP: Group of the European People's Party

EDG: European Democratic Group

LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

NR: Not registered in any political group