European Monitoring Centre On Racism And Xenophobia Director Missions 2003 Mission 09 (12.-14.05.2003) - Paris - SWC-UNESCO conference Presentation by the Director of EUMC, Beate Winkler At the 2nd International Conference on "Educating for Tolerance: The Case of Resurgent anti-Semitism" Minister, Excellencies, It is a great honor and privilege for the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) to participate in this important conference. It gives us a great opportunity to develop common strategies and concrete action in order to reduce anti- Semitism, discrimination and exclusion - to reduce fear and to build bridges. We have also a responsibility to break the silence on negative developments in European societies and to draw attention to positive trends and perspectives at the same time. We have to learn from the past and to give cultural, religious and ethnic diversity recognition, dignity and respect: these are basic elements on which the EU had been established. - The answer to the Shoa. Never forget: the EU is a unique peace project. The miracle happened: former enemies became partners - France and Germany. This miracle is symbolized in the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) itself: I myself am German, and it was a Frenchman, Jean Kahn, former President of the European Jewish Congress who convinced the Heads of States to create the EUMC which opened in 2000 and now has a team of about 30 people. Together we worked closely to establish the EUMC as a network organisation in order to move away from thinking in term of "us and them".
The EUMC The EUMC is an independent agency of the European Union based in Vienna - a suitable place for enlargement and also a reminder for us, as Vienna is home to Simon Wiesenthal - the first person I met when I arrived. The main purpose of the EUMC is to provide the Community and its Member States with objective, reliable, and comparable data at the European level on the phenomena of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. The EUMC is also required to study the extent and development of the phenomena and manifestations of racism, xenophobia and anti- Semitism, analyse their causes, consequences and effects, and examine examples of good practice in dealing with them. The EUMC has established the RAXEN network (European Information Network on Racism and Xenophobia) for data collection in the Member States. The network consists of 15 National focal Points, one in each Member State. Since mid 2001 they are collecting data in four priority areas: Employment, Education, Racist violence and Legislation. In addition to collecting existing data in the Member States, the EUMC initiates scientific research projects, surveys and feasibility studies. From our research we know that the collecting and comparing data on the phenomenon of anti-Semitism is a highly complex task. The data is not always consistent or comparable. Some countries do not report any anti-Semitic initiatives, other concentrate mainly on public discourse and others not at all. We know that, over the last 12 months, anti-Semitism was recorded to a higher extent in some Member States than others, i.e. France, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden. In France, 62% of all racist incidents reported in 2002 were anti-Semitic acts, which is a considerable increase from 2001. It is also is reported that violence is perpetrated by immigrants with an Arab/Muslim background. In the United Kingdom, anti-Semitic incidents are not listed separately in official reports, however, the Community Security Trust (CST) - an organization which provides security and defense advice for the Jewish community throughout the United Kingdom and works closely with the Board of Deputies of British Jews - has compiled figures on some 310 anti-Semitic incidents in 2001. In Germany after a quantitative increase of anti-Semitic hate crimes, the number of crimes with anti-Semitic motivation dropped slightly in the course of 2002 to 1.594 cases (2001: 1.629 cases). The German authorities owe this decline to a concerted effort to combat violence in a preventive, multi-disciplinary way, including increased youth work, political education and the cooperation of legal and intelligence authorities, the police and exit programmes for right-wing radical youth. The Internet Discrimination Hotline (MDI) in the Netherlands received almost 200 complaints of anti-Semitism on Dutch websites in 2001 and charges were brought against anti-Semitic texts on the website of an orthodox Muslim school. In Sweden, the Jewish congregation in Stockholm reported 133 cases of anti-Semitism. Most anti-Semitic crimes were incitement of racial hatred, harassment and threats directed against Jewish institutions and Jewish personalities. The Netherlands report a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents and Belgium has made this a special point of discussion on the agenda of a national Round Table Meeting organised with the EUMC, which is taking place next week. Preliminary investigations have revealed an alarming increase in hate propaganda on the Internet, notably originating from sources in Spain and Denmark. Fundamentalist groups are known to cooperate with racist right-wing groups and to publish anti-Semitic hate sites, which are steadily increasing on the Internet. The anti-Semitic incidents in Europe are ominous. Old images reappear. The anti- Islamic sentiment after 11 September are ominous too. And in both cases, it is the symbols of other religions - synagogues and Jewish cemeteries, mosques, and headscarves - which become the cause of violence. Symbols, in particular, often have a much stronger effect than words - pictures that leave a much deeper impression than words. All these issues raise a number of vital questions: "How will Europe deal with cultural, ethnic and religious diversity in the future? How will Jews, Christians, and Muslims live together? Where nobody has the fear to be attacked on the street because he/she is e.g. recognized as Jew?" Many people have fear of future and are looking for simple answers to complex questions. It is these fears, and this climate which can be exploited by right-wing populists. The situation now is extremely complex, influenced by issues of identity, fragmentation, social exclusion, globalisation and the tension in the middle east. Criticism of Israeli government policies is also not per se anti-Semitic but can be. In a recent Eurobarometer survey, the acceptance of multicultural society increased from 33% to 48 %, but at the same time the percentage of people who blame minorities for negative social developments increased by 48% to 52%. And at the same time, however, we must recognise and highlight the positive. Eli Wiesel has written his famous book " the Night": the trauma of the Shoa.. The European Union has been founded in times of uncertainty and insecurity. In this way the European Union is a miracle - the day after the night - showing the crucial role of political leadership. Initiatives of the EU to combat anti-Semitism There are many positive developments in the European Parliament and in the European Commission, which must be recognized, e.g.: - The Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Convention with their focus on Human Rights. - The proposed framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia which is now in the European Council and which will establish a whole new legal framework with common definitions - The 2 Directives against discrimination - including on the grounds of religion, racial or ethnic origin - must be implemented into national law by the end of this year - A number of programmes of the European Commission, including EQUAL and the Youth-Programmes, which include the fight against anti-Semitism Activities of the EUMC The EUMC itself is a sign of the European Union's commitment to tackle racism and anti-Semitism. It is our task to collect data through the RAXEN research network and through our research initiatives. Overview of the situation regarding racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism are published in our annual reports and other publication. " Cultural diversity in the media and "Internet racism and football" are two recent examples. The EUMC does not simply focus on the negative, but also attempts where possible to highlight and promote good practice. We have, therefore made diversity education and intercultural education as one of our top priorities. For example:
A special focus is on violence against Jews and the Jewish community. The EUMC will finalise and publish the documentation this year.
The reports of these meetings are available on the EUMC Website and reflect some of my earlier statements on the situation in Europe and current trends and tendencies. And last but not least, the EUMC supports the Charter of European political parties for a non racist Society", which had been signed by about 100 European political parties. We hope that this Charter will be re-launched in autumn by the European Parliament and by the Council of Europe. We are closely involved in the preparation. EUMC future priorities on Anti-Semitism Over the coming months, the EUMC will develop a strategy for the fight against anti- Semitism, with a particular focus on improving the comparability of data. At the same time, the Monitoring Centre will continue its approach to integrate anti-Semitism across the full range of its activities. Conclusion It is clear that anti-Semitism has new forms but with long historical, religious, psychological and political roots. The current situation regarding anti-Semitism in some European countries cannot be linked only to the situation in the Middle East. The whole context must be considered very carefully also when we support and initiate intercultural and interreligious dialogue. A different approach in our societies is necessary: an approach based on inclusion, value, respect of differences. An approach, which includes the past and our memory. A memory, which enables us to work towards a culture of respect and a culture of healing. Other related EU documents at Balder.org 13 December 2007 - European Parliament resolution of on combating the rise of extremism in Europe 31 October 2002 Paris - The European Focus on Anti-Semitism - EU Racist and Zenophobic Content on the Internet
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