Recommendation 1831 (2008)

European Muslim communities confronted with extremism

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Assembly debate on 15 April 2008 (13th Sitting) (see Doc. 11540, report of the Political Affairs Committee, rapporteur: Mr João Bosco Mota Amaral; Doc. 11575, opinion of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population, rapporteur: Mr Hakki Keskin; Doc. 11570, opinion of the Committee on Culture, Science and Education, rapporteur: Mr Mehmet Tekelioğlu; and Doc. 11569, opinion of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, rapporteur: Mrs Gisela Wurm). Text adopted by the Assembly on 15 April 2008 (13th Sitting).

1. Referring to its Resolution 1605 (2008) on European Muslim communities confronted with extremism, the Parliamentary Assembly expresses its support to Council of Europe activities in the field of intercultural dialogue and its religious dimension, which make a remarkable contribution to the mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence of different groups in European societies. In this regard, the Assembly welcomes the forthcoming publication of a Council of Europe white paper on intercultural dialogue.

2. In addition, being aware of the global dimension of the issues at stake, the Assembly welcomes the recent letter of intent concerning the co-operation between the Council of Europe and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and encourages further co-operation and the organisation of joint initiatives.

3. Furthermore, the Assembly recalls the activities of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), and in particular its General Policy Recommendation No. 5 on combating intolerance and discrimination against Muslims (2000).

4. In light of these considerations, the Assembly recommends the Committee of Ministers to:

4.1. consider the activities in the field of intercultural dialogue and its religious dimension as a priority, and allocate appropriate resources for them so as to ensure that they are properly carried out and publicised;

4.2. support and allocate appropriate resources for activities in the field of integration of immigrants and persons with an immigrant background, including specific activities for encouraging integration and tolerance among young people;

4.3. further to the letter of intent signed by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, support the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding between the Council of Europe and the Alliance of Civilizations;

4.4. increase co-operation in the field of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue with the United Nations and its specialised agencies, the European Union, and in particular the institutions of the Barcelona Process, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference;

4.5. invite ECRI and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct specific research on the situation of Muslim communities in Europe, including examples of good practice of co-operation between Muslim organisations and the authorities in combating extremism both within Muslim communities and originating from Muslim communities.