Brussels, 10/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - Following the lead of the website launched in the Netherlands by the PVV Group led by Geert Wilders, the extreme Right-wing Flemish party Vlaams Belang has set up its own internet site on which people will be able to report crimes allegedly carried out by “illegal immigrants” in Belgium (see EUROPE 10575). The move was immediately condemned by a European Commission spokesperson, who stated that these kinds of website “are not in line with the values that we defend”. The Commission said, however, that possible legal pursuit for inciting racial hatred was a matter for national courts, arguing that, even though the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, which came into force two years ago, sets a “general framework”, it has no power to intervene in such cases. Commissioner Viviane Reding will not, under any circumstances, support closing a political party's website, her spokesperson said. It is a matter for national law, though it must be noted that rules on closing internet sites vary from one member state to another.
“Tackling xenophobia and incitement to racial hatred forms part of the framework directive. This does not seek to put in place sanctions or bans but to provide the countries of the EU with a common framework for defining principles. Member states undertake through this directive to tackle xenophobia, racial hatred and anti-Semitism. Because we do not have the legal powers, European law does not contain sanctions common to all member states or a definition of what constitutes incitement to racial hatred and the kinds of measure to be taken. It is not for the European Commission to tell member states that they have to ban this or that site on the grounds that it contains elements that stir up racial hatred. It is for member states to ensure that there is compliance with the principles set out in the framework directive and it is for them to decide, in line with their national law, whether or not to suspend an internet site”, the Commission spokesperson said. “It is for citizens and political parties to refer the matter to the courts and for the courts to determine the sanctions”, he added.
Vlaams Belang leader Filip Dewinter, in justifying this call to inform on others, said that there were “tens of thousands” of illegal immigrants in Belgium's large cities and he referred to problems stemming from their presence, such as illegal working, crime and social security fraud. Information received will be passed on to the police. Dewinter is copying Dutch extreme Right-wing politician Geert Wilders, who leads the PVV (Freedom Party), which opened a site calling on Dutch people to report any crimes or job losses that could be linked to Eastern and Central European nationals. The PVV initiative raised an uproar in the EU. Liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte has refused to comment on the website, arguing that it belongs to a party, not the government. (LC/transl.rt)