B4-0209, 0219, 0279, 0314 and 0319/95

Resolution on racist murders in Austria

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions relating to racism and xenophobia, and the conclusions reached by its committees of inquiry on the subject in 1985 and 1989,

-having regard to the Conclusions of the European Council on this subject including those of June 1994 and December 1994, and to the Interim Report of the Consultative Commission,

-having regard to the Joint Declaration of 5 April 1977 by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on respect for fundamental rights,

-having regard to the Joint Declaration of 11 June 1986 against racism and xenophobia by the European Parliament, the Council, the representatives of the Member States meeting within the Council and the Commission,

A.shocked by the murder of four Gypsies at Oberwart in Austria on 5 February 1995,

B.whereas this incident had all the hallmarks of a racist and xenophobic attack, since the explosive device was a booby-trapped sign bearing the words 'Gypsies, go back to India',

C.shocked also by the bomb attack, in the same area, shortly afterwards, which injured a man of the Croat minority,

D.recalling the wave of terrorism outrages by extremist nationalist organizations, especially the use of letter bombs, in 1993 in Austria,

E.concerned by the failure of the authorities to bring those guilty of xenophobic and racist crimes to justice,

F.welcoming the firm response of the Austrian Government and other authorities to this outrage,

G.concerned at the unsatisfactory living, schooling and housing conditions of the Roma and Sinti in Europe,

H.welcoming the large demonstrations of solidarity with the victims that have taken place in Austria,

I.aware that hostility to Gypsies is widespread in Europe,

J.pointing out that the genocide of Gypsies was part of the Nazi programme of mass murder,

K.recalling the genocide of the Roma and Sinti by the Nazis,

1.Expresses its sympathy and solidarity with those subjected to racist and xenophobic attacks, and in particular with the families of Karl and Erwin Horvath, Peter Sarközi and Josep Gimon;

2.Strongly condemns all actions prompted by racial hatred and which derive their inspiration from a culture of violence and intolerance;

3.Condemns also those who, by pandering to racist and xenophobic prejudices, promote a climate of opinion which encourages such outrages;

4.Supports all Austrian citizens and all political, civil, economic, religious and cultural organizations and urges them to continue their efforts to combat all actions and behaviour of a racist, xenophobic, Nazi or fascist nature;

5.Urges the Austrian authorities to do all in their power to bring those guilty to justice;

6.Calls on the Member States' Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs to set up a special working party to monitor and fight racist and extreme right-wing terrorist groups;

7.Recalls its resolution of 21 April 1994 on the situation of Gypsies in the Community, and asks the Commission what it has done to implement the proposals therein;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, and the President of the Austrian Parliament.