Xenophobia unsettles Europe
(23rd April 2002)

Yesterday's success of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the first round of the French presidential elections has confirmed the trend of electoral success by right-wing parties throughout Europe. Right wing parties that propagate racist and xenophobic policies have recently been successful in Austria, Italy, Denmark and now France.

The EUMC (European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia) has called on political leaders throughout Europe to counter the rise of the Far Right in Europe by condemning xenophobia and racism and embracing racial, ethnic and cultural diversity. According to the EUMC, political leaders must publicly acknowledge the important contribution immigrants, refugees and minority citizens make to European society.

As elections are approaching in other European countries, the EUMC has appealed to mainstream political leaders to be more active in countering the racist threat in Europe. Initially, parties must follow the principles of the "Charter of Political Parties for a non-racist society". By committing themselves to adhere to a whole range of principles of good practice in fighting racism, parties are required to take appropriate action to combat discrimination and to facilitate policies and judicial co-operation under the framework of the European Union in order to prevent and combat racism.

Bob Purkiss, Chairman of the EUMC, said: "As long as our politicians allow negative attitudes to build up against the most vulnerable groups in European society, we should not be surprised at the electoral success of extremists. Voters must be given a clear choice between honourable parties which take peoples' fears seriously and propose real solutions to existing problems, and those parties who seek to gain votes by scapegoating people in our midst. I call on all political leaders to send out a positive message about the benefits of people from different backgrounds living and working together in mutual respect."

"When issues such as asylum and immigration are debated in a destructive, negative way it is only the extremists that will benefit. Our political leaders and the media must stop their two-faced approach to this debate: It makes no sense for them to condemn the rise of racist parties while at the same time leading voters to believe that migrants, asylum seekers and minorities are a burden on our economy and our social fabric. Voters sense such insincerity and then see no reason to support parties that are indistinguishable from each other. We need leaders who can address problems brought by globalisation, without resorting to apportioning blame to the most vulnerable in our societies."

The EUMC also pointed out that racist and xenophobic attitudes tend to be accompanied by anti-European feelings. Bob Purkiss explained: "Voters in Europe feel insecure about their national and cultural identities, and they are wary of their lack of control over globalised economic developments. Such insecurity easily turns into a fear of European integration as well as a fear of including people who seem different. Politicians must deal with these fears head-on. They must make absolutely clear that Europe will be built on equality and inclusion, or it will not be built at all."

More information can be obtained from the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia: Tel.: + 43 1 580 30 - 31; Fax: + 43 1 580 30 - 93.

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