EveryOne Group promotes a campaign to have neo-Nazi or racist movements declared illegal in the European Union.
Dear friends of UNITED for Intercultural Action*, dear Activists,
we are convinced it has become necessary to promote a campaign to have neo-Nazi or racist movements declared illegal in the European Union. Otherwise, the risk of irreparable damage to democracy will soon become a reality. These movements spread ideologies that contaminate the entire political system and obtain electoral consensus.
It is absurd that in the Europe of human rights it is possible to initiate campaigns based on ethnic hatred or the criminalization of minority groups. The referendum in Switzerland on minarets is a perfect example. In which country, in the present climate of xenophobia, would the majority vote “yes” in favour of a minority group’s rights? After minarets, we could find ourselves voting in referendums against marriages between people of the same sex; the practice of traditions; books on minority religions and culture; practices like circumcision; the Roma marriage; assistance for the poor and marginalized; Gay Pride demonstrations and marches for human rights etc. We are very close to dangerous forms of nationalism and persecution.
In Italy, the persecution of the Roma people and “clandestini” (illegal immigrants) leads every day to deaths and humanitarian crises - while the dignity and liberty of these minorities are reduced to nothing. The activists and the few non-racist politicians are intimidated by the institutions, while helping the marginalized has become a crime with these news laws in force, laws which have turned refugees and the Roma people into “criminals”.
We would like to ask the European Union to consider the discussion and approval of a document – a directive – against nationalism, intolerant ideologies, propaganda that goes against people’s inviolable rights (through the spread of ideologies, the approval of national and local laws, the use of referendums). What is more, it must be established, once and for all, that neo-Nazi and racist movements must be deemed illegal and criminal, and should be removed from democratic institutions. We are asking you to consider joining us in an appeal to the European institutions to approve a document that reasserts the non-negotiable value of human rights and the dignity of minority groups.
For the EveryOne Group, Roberto Malini, Matteo Pegoraro, Dario Picciau, Glenys Robinson
*UNITED for Intercultural Action - European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees - is The largest pan-European anti-racism network of more than 560 organisations from 46 countries: UNITED to promote the rights of refugees, minorities & migrants.
