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Resolution 1910 (2012)
NGOs’ role in combating intolerance, racism and xenophobia
1. Since its inception, the Parliamentary
Assembly has striven to eradicate intolerance, racism and xenophobia.
The Council of Europe was founded after the Second World War and
its resultant atrocities precisely to avert the return of ideologies
and practices contrary to human dignity.
2. In a Europe where violent acts motivated by intolerance, racism
and xenophobia are multiplying and where parties circulating messages
of a racist and xenophobic nature manage to gain seats in national parliaments,
constant vigilance and opposition to intolerance, racism and xenophobia
become political imperatives.
3. The Assembly regards non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
as the natural allies of parliaments in the performance of their
function of oversight, prevention and awareness raising in this
matter. It is indispensable to take measures to support and promote
NGOs’ action in order to refine policies and legislation in the
area of racism and xenophobia, and ensure that the point of view
of minority groups is taken into account in their preparation, implementation
and monitoring.
4. Intolerance, racism and xenophobia are fed by stereotypes
and prejudices which must be prevented and eradicated at every level.
Visible minorities are too often depicted in the media by conveying
a stereotyped image of their culture and traditions. Intolerant
attitudes are exacerbated by the effects of the economic crisis and
the dissatisfaction experienced by an increasing number of people
who feel more and more exposed as regards employment, security and
social protection.
5. The Assembly urges political leaders not to use fear to fuel
their electoral campaigns, but continually to reaffirm the democratic
values of our societies, respect for human rights and human dignity.
In that regard, it recalls its recent Resolution 1889 (2012) on the portrayal
of migrants and refugees during election campaigns. It is urgent
to undertake courageous, sustained work on diversity and migration,
in co-operation with civil society.
6. In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Assembly
recommends that member and observer States, and parliaments in particular:
6.1. in conjunction with the qualified
NGOs, take measures to:
6.1.1. promote the knowledge of
different cultures and traditions, including those of minority groups,
by providing positive models or success stories that show the positive
contribution of minorities to society;
6.1.2. promote equality in a multicultural society;
6.1.3. establish and develop structures for dialogue in which
NGOs and public institutions participate on an equal footing;
6.1.4. give qualified NGOs a consultative function with regard
to public institutions to advocate, in the light of their expertise,
specific policy measures for preventing and combating intolerance, racism
and xenophobia;
6.1.5. alert civil society to the rise of these phenomena and
mobilise it to prevent and combat them, by organising public campaigns
on a national or European scale;
6.1.6. ensure the application of the relevant measures and legislation
in this area;
6.2. develop youth policies aimed at eradicating discrimination
and exclusion;
6.3. encourage the media to give minorities the possibility
to make their voices heard and build up their media capacity in
civil society.
6.4. encourage and support NGOs in their actions aimed at:
6.4.1. ensuring liaison with local and regional authorities;
6.4.2. monitoring, documenting and denouncing discrimination;
6.4.3. prevailing upon the authorities to tackle intolerance,
racism and xenophobia through appropriate laws and measures;
6.4.4. monitoring the actions of the public institutions in this
field;
6.4.5. enhancing their qualifications and capacity to act as
a source of information for monitoring structures such as ombudspersons
and equality advocacy bodies;
6.4.6. supporting victims of discrimination in their access to
justice by providing them with advice and legal representation;
6.4.7. empowering groups to engage in campaigns, to be their
own advocates and to assert and enforce their rights;
6.4.8. informing minorities of the relevant legal framework for
the defence of their rights;
6.4.9. developing communication strategies to make the voice
of minorities heard in the media and provide journalists with consistent
and reliable information, in order to combat hostility to refugees
and asylum seekers, Islamophobia, anti-Gypsyism and anti-Semitism.
7. Furthermore, the Assembly encourages the Secretary General
of the Council of Europe to review and reinforce co-operation with
international non-governmental organisations, and namely to propose implementing
agreements for the instruments against discrimination, racism and
intolerance already in existence with the competent Council of Europe
directorates and organs in order to provide solutions to specific situations
and further the culture of participation in the member States.