Follow us

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
19 Apr, 2023

ENAR Open Letter to EU institutions: Take a Stand Against Attacks on Anti-Racist Civil Society

Brussels, 16 March 2023 

Dear Madam Presidents, 

As the second edition of the Anti-Racism Week is approaching, we are writing to you to inform you of the consistent and persistent defamatory attacks on civil society organisations fighting racism across the EU. In particular, we would like to draw your attention to the statement by François Xavier-Bellamy, an MEP representing France that includes many misstatements about the EU Anti-Racism and Diversity Week (2023) and the European Network Against Racism, labelling the organisation as ‘radical’. ENAR is the only pan-European anti-racism network that combines advocacy for racial equality and facilitating cooperation among civil society anti-racism actors in Europe. 

The video from François Xavier-Bellamy MEP appears to be filmed in the European Parliament, which is detrimental to the reputation of the European Parliament. We are aware that Rule 10 on MEPs conduct says “The conduct of Members shall be characterised by mutual respect and shall be based on the values and principles laid down in the Treaties, and particularly in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Members shall respect Parliament’s dignity and shall not harm its reputation”. 

The EU Anti-Racism and Diversity Week 2023 is organised by Members of the European Parliament from five different political groups in partnership with European Network Against Racism (ENAR AISBL) and other institutions and organisations. As a longtime partner of the European Commission and the European Parliament in organising events around the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 of March), we aim that the event convenes a European discussion to counter racism, mainstream racial equality and evaluate the ongoing European anti-discrimination agenda in line with European values. 

It is deeply concerning that every time we discuss racism and discrimination against all groups, there is a cohort of individuals, including now an MEP, that attempts to undermine the work of civil society and the European Commission and the European Parliament by making incorrect and irrelevant links to radical extremism. We are very concerned that this has become a pattern of practice at EU events on racism, youth and democracy, which go without meaningful accountability or adequate response to protect those affected by it and protect the EU spaces in their diversity. We are also concerned that this is a tactic that is used to redirect the needed attention to addressing structural and institutional racism and maintaining zero sum arguments for political gain. 

We point the attention to the European Parliament resolution of 8 March 2022 on the shrinking space for civil society in Europe, which takes note of the effect of such practices on shrinking the civic space and threats to human rights defenders in Europe, and the continued scapegoating of organisations working for equality, including racial equality. 

We expect that the European Commission and the European Parliament will continue to provide ambitious leadership in the fight against racism, defamation and scapegoating civil society by taking the following measures: 

  • Publicly denounce MEPs for using Parliamentary premises to defame and slander civil society organisations. As Members of the European Parliament will soon enter the election campaign 2024, standards on ethics practices in the European Parliament must be maintained. Current MEPs and those running for the new parliamentary term should express the highest commitment to promote a better culture of inclusivity in the European institutions. 
  • Provide assurances that no MEP will show hate or indulge in defamation during the discussions at Anti-Racism and Diversity Week. Following the Bulgarian MEP Angel Dzhambazki’s fascist salute during a rule-of-law debate in Strasbourg in 2022, we are fearful that MEPs will undermine the discussions in Anti-Racism Week in Europe’s house of democracy. The EC and EP can lead by example by ensuring that the civil society spaces they provide are free from harassment, intimidation and stigmatisation, which requires timely and effective follow-up action. 
  • Participate in Anti-Racism and Diversity Week following the invitation sent to open the session. Anti-Racism Week is envisioned to be a shared platform for institutions, civil society organisations, anti-racist actors, activists to come together and lead on solution-based discussions on the systemic gaps that are necessary to address structural and specific forms of racism in their visible and invisible impacts. 
  • We are living in a time of considerable rising hatred, and we are proud that we have developed an inclusive agenda for this week. These attacks show that our activities are even more necessary. It is critical that EU institutions take action to counter the poison stirring in many of our European democracies and show citizens of the Union that there is no place in Europe or our parliament for racism or neo-fascism. 

We express our gratitude for your attention to this matter and extend our warmest regards to you. 

Yours sincerely, 

Ojeaku Nwabuzo
ENAR Director (Policy, Advocacy and Network Development)
European Network Against Racism 

Signatories 

#DiasporaVote! 

Advancing Together 

Africa Centre Ireland 

Agora Association 

Alliance Citoyenne 

Àltera APS 

Anti-Racist Forum (ARF) 

Apna Haq 

ASOCIACIÓN NACIONAL PRESENCIA GITANA 

Association for Integration and Migration 

Association for Monitoring Equal Rights (Eşit Haklar İçin İzleme Derneği) 

Associazione Ayiti Chery 

Associazione La Rosa Roja International – A.RO.RO. 

Associazione Oltre il Pregiudiìzio – OilP 

CCIE 

Centre for Equality Advancement 

Coexister France 

Coordinamento Diaspore In Sardegna – Co.D.I.Sard 

Czech Helsinki Committee 

DARE network – Democracy and Human Rights Education in Europe 

Dokustelle Antimuslimischer Rassismus und Islamfeindlichkeit 

ENORB — European Network On Religion and Belief 

ENWAD 

European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH) 

European Forum of Muslim Women, EFOMW 

European Sex Workers’ Rights Alliance (ESWA) 

Europia 

Friends of the Earth Europe 

Generation for Change CY 

Giolli cooperativa sociale 

Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) 

Greek Forum of Migrants 

IDPAD Coalition UK 

Instituto de Asuntos Culturales, España 

Irish Network Against Racism 

Ivorian Community of Greece 

Kif Kif 

Lallab 

LE CRAN 

Lëtz Rise Up 

Lifelong Learning Platform 

Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights 

Migrant Tales 

Migrant Women Assocition Malta 

Muslim Association for Human Rights (AMDEH) 

Newwomenconnectors 

NICRE 

Nosotras Onlus 

Open Republic Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia – OTWARTA RZECZPOSPOLITA 

PICUM 

Protection International 

SOS Malta 

Stichting Ocan 

Subjective Values Foundation 

The Ligali Organisation / IDPAD (Hackney) 

VOIS Cyprus 

Waterford Integration Services, Ireland 

FEMYSO 

Zavod KROG/Institute CIRCLE 


More information here. 

Related Posts

NewsOpinions
Family members Playing Video Games on sofa
OPINION – Making video games fun for families: the crucial role of family settings awareness

OPINION – Making video games fun for families: the crucial role of family settings awareness

53% of Europe’s population between the ages of 6 and 64 plays video games. And, whilst the average age of a player is 32, many players are children. Europe’s video game companies are dedicated to creating games for everyone to enjoy and, also, importantly, to provide safe, responsible environments for those games to be enjoyed in.

Read More

News
COFACE Member FLW’s Housing Loans: Support for Retired Parents 

COFACE Member FLW’s Housing Loans: Support for Retired Parents 

COFACE member, Fonds du Logement Wallonie (FLW) provides housing loans to large families for the creation of special accommodation for one or more parents aged 60 or over. Since 2022, this option has been available to all households (with or without children) meeting certain income conditions: total taxable income for the penultimate year, i.e. 2022 for an application submitted in 2024, may not exceed EUR 76,000, plus EUR 5,000 per dependent child. 

Read More

News
DigiGen Book: Understanding the everyday digital lives of children and young people

DigiGen Book: Understanding the everyday digital lives of children and young people

After years of meticulous research and analysis, the culmination of the DigiGen project has resulted in the release of the first DigiGen book. This publication represents a wealth of knowledge distilled from the insights gathered throughout the project's duration. DigiGen particularly responded to the need for a focus on the everyday lives of children and young people from their perspec­tive and not solely from the perspective of adults around them. 

Read More