Strasbourg, 03/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - The aim of the report which Sweden's Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin (European People's Party) was asked to draw up in 2011 was to fight right-wing extremism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in the member states. She decided to tighten up her theme and, on Wednesday 1 October, presented the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) with a text entitled “Counteraction to manifestations of neo-Nazism”, to avoid “duplication of work done by (…) the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)”, which has a mandate to monitor problems of xenophobia and anti-Semitism in all Council of Europe member states.
But what is neo-Nazism, asks Marietta de Pourbaix-Lundin, stressing the “basis and constant reference point” of historical National Socialism. Its goal, she continues, is “an ethnically homogenous dictatorial state (…) which excludes (…) diversity of opinion or pluralism”. “Democracy as a whole is rejected as an 'occupying regime'”, the text goes on to add, stressing that foreigners, migrants, asylum seekers, Jews, Roma, homosexuals, state representatives and, very often, journalists are targeted.
A movement which has been identified, but which takes many more forms than previously - the days of the “typical Nazi skinhead” are long gone - and which pursues increasingly sophisticated strategies, such as using the internet as a dissemination, coordination and communication platform at a global level. It is also worth noting the significant and recent increase of women in these groups and the involvement of whole families with this ideology.
In view of this threat to democracy, PACE voted through, by 129 votes in favour and nine against, a resolution calling on politicians to “take up the debate with neo-Nazis and expose them publicly by clearly and unequivocally challenging, rejecting and condemning their ideology and rhetoric”.
“They should not be ignored; they should not be demonised either”, said PACE before putting forward a series of “best practices” in terms of prevention, education and the application of the law. The following recommendations, amongst others, were made: - the creation of cross-sectoral social, economic and cultural strategies, in order to reduce “fertile ground”; - the appointment of national coordinators responsible for fighting right-wing extremism; - public funding for initiatives and projects led by civil society to fight neo-Nazis in everyday life (including online); - reinforcing the teaching of 20th-century history and democratic citizenship education in schools; - the setting in place of victim support procedures, witness protection and assistance to individuals wishing to leave extremist movements.
In memory of the tragic attack committed on 22 July 2011 by a neo-Nazi on the Nowegian island of Utoya, PACE has lent its support to the initiative by young activists of making 22 July European Day for the Victims of Hate Crimes. (VL)