“What we are proposing today is neither a new directive nor new legislation. This is a challenge and a message for the whole of Europe”. It was in these terms that the Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, presented the communication from the Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs entitled “No place for hatred: a Europe united against hatred” at a press conference on Wednesday 6 December with the Vice-President responsible for promoting the European way of life, Margarítis Schinás.
This appeal is a response to the torments of an increasingly divided Europe, following the events of 7 October in the Middle East, as Ms Jourová reminded us. The EU is witnessing an alarming upsurge in hate speech and hate crime, with its Jewish and Muslim communities particularly targeted.
In response, the Commission is stepping up its efforts in a number of areas, including security, digital, education, culture and sport. Additional funding will be allocated to protect places of worship.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell, for his part, stressed in a press release the importance of protecting and respecting all people, regardless of their religion, nationality or race. “Conflicts and disinformation worldwide are sowing the seeds of hatred”, he declared, reiterating the need for joint action to defend human rights.
The Commission is also committed to strengthening the fight against online hate, by finalising a code of conduct to combat illegal hate speech and improving cooperation with various organisations and authorities. The Commission’s coordinators for anti-racism, the fight against antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred will play a key role, being promoted to the rank of envoys to maximise the effectiveness of EU policies.
Ms Jourová stressed the need for collective action against all forms of hatred and racism. “Hatred only leads to greater hatred”, she declared, stressing the importance of speaking out in the name of the EU’s fundamental values.
Finally, in 2024, as Mr Schinás pointed out, the Commission will organise a high-level conference against hatred, followed by European dialogues for reconciliation. These initiatives aim to build bridges between fractured communities and strengthen the motto of the EU: “United in diversity”.
The message is clear: it is essential to fight hatred in order to preserve the soul of Europe. “We hope that this communication will speed up the debate at ministerial level”, said the vice-president responsible for promoting the European way of life, pointing out that European ministers were already “fully involved”. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)