B3-0864, 0884, 0894, 0910, 0923 and 0934/93

Resolution on the rise of racism in Europe and criminal attacks on Turkish citizens in Germany

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its resolution of 21 April 1993 on the resurgence of racism and xenophobia in Europe and the danger of right-wing extremist violence, which called, inter alia, for 1995 to be declared the 'European Year of Harmony among Peoples',

-having regard to its previous resolutions and motions for resolutions relating to racism and xenophobia,

-having regard to the conclusions reached by the two committees of inquiry into this subject set up by the European Parliament in 1985 and 1989,

A.shocked by the resurgence of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in Europe,

B.shocked at the murders in Solingen and other cases of arson,

C.concerned at the activities of right-wing extremist groups,

D.aware that most ordinary people as well as the political authorities at national, Land and local government level condemn these acts of violence,

E.welcoming the decision by the ministers responsible for immigration to step up cooperation on combating racism; taking the view, however, that, in the present situation, it is not enough to look for the causes, but that, rather, emergency measures and clear signals are called for,

1.Reiterates in the strongest terms its condemnation of the growth of racist violence against minority groups of all kinds; believes that no democratic party can advocate or support any element of racist ideologies and attitudes and that no democratic government should take political decisions which give the impression that it is prepared to tolerate or support such attitudes;

2.Condemns all acts of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism and, in particular, condemns the arson attacks on a Turkish family in Solingen on 29 May 1993 which resulted in the deaths of five people and other racial attacks in Hattingen and Konstanz on 5 June 1993;

3.Shares the grief felt by the victims, their families and their friends;

4.Welcomes the restraint shown by the Turkish Government and the vast majority of the Turks living in Germany;

5.Takes the view that violence is the wrong answer to xenophobic incidents;

6.Hopes that all democratic, social and political groups will continue with their efforts to combat racism and xenophobia, and indeed step up those efforts, and will especially in this way exert a positive influence on the social environment;

7.Welcomes the positive reaction of the vast majority of the German people, who have demonstrated against the racist acts perpetrated in their country;

8.Takes the view that legal measures to protect those involved and to prevent xenophobia must be improved at federal and Land level;

9.Welcomes the consideration being given in Germany to the introduction of dual nationality, for a specified period for example, as an important step towards integration and takes the view that the relaxation in rules governing nationalization either already approved or planned will lead to an improvement in the situation;

10.Trusts that willingness to integrate exists on all sides and hopes that rules obtaining in countries of origin (e.g. inheritance laws), which often hinder naturalization in practice, will be abolished;

11.Calls on the Land governments responsible for police matters to increase protection for foreigners;

12.Takes the view that the Federal and Land governments must jointly draw up and implement a ban on right-wing extremist groups and activities;

13.Believes that municipal and local authorities, as well as schools, must make greater systematic efforts to combat xenophobia;

14.Calls on the Member States to provide generous compensation - independently of international agreements - for all victims of racist attacks;

15.Welcomes the intention to rebuild the house in Solingen which was the target of the arson attack as an international memorial;

16.Insists on the duty of all political leaders who support the values on which free democracies are based to oppose racist policies openly and unequivocally;

17.Calls, therefore, on the Belgian Presidency of the Council and the Commission to take action to put into effect the recommendations of the European Parliament for combating all forms of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism and to report to Parliament on the action they propose to take;

18.Believes that a study covering the entire Community is required to investigate the increasing readiness of young people to use violence, as well as their reasons and motives;

19.Calls for an EC agreement on fair and comprehensive asylum procedures which is geared to the minimum standards of the Geneva Convention on refugees;

20.Calls on the Ad hoc Working Party on Immigration and the Ministers responsible for immigration questions to take account of the European Parliament's decisions when drafting their proposals on immigration problems;

21.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, EPC, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Council of Turkish Citizens in Germany and the Government of Turkey.