Motion for a resolution | Doc. 12661 | 22 June 2011

Counteraction to manifestations of neo-Nazism and xenophobia

Signatories: Mr Konstantin KOSACHEV, Russian Federation, EDG ; Mr Ruhi AÇIKGÖZ, Turkey, EDG ; Lord Tim BOSWELL, United Kingdom, EDG ; Mr Christopher CHOPE, United Kingdom, EDG ; Mr James CLAPPISON, United Kingdom, EDG ; Lady Diana ECCLES, United Kingdom, EDG ; Ms Sahiba GAFAROVA, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Sir Roger GALE, United Kingdom, EDG ; Mr Jean-Charles GARDETTO, Monaco, EPP/CD ; Mr Mike HANCOCK, United Kingdom, ALDE ; Mr Davit HARUTYUNYAN, Armenia, EDG ; Mr Oliver HEALD, United Kingdom, EDG ; Mr Tomáš JIRSA, Czech Republic, EDG ; Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, UEL ; Mr Dirk Van der MAELEN, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Patrick MORIAU, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Yüksel ÖZDEN, Turkey, EDG ; Ms Ganira PASHAYEVA, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Mr Ludo SANNEN, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Øyvind VAKSDAL, Norway, EDG ; Mr Robert WALTER, United Kingdom, EDG

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Recalling its Resolution 1495 (2006) “Combating the resurgence of Nazi ideology” the Parliamentary Assembly reiterates its serious concern about still growing manifestations of xenophobia and nationalist extremism within the Council of Europe space. Despite the denazification efforts in postwar Europe the ideas of Nazism and revanchism are still popular today. Problems of migration, interethnic conflicts, etc, facing Europe today, help these ideas gain new supporters, especially among radical youth.

Under these circumstances parliaments and governments of the Council of Europe member states have a special mission to prevent proliferation of fascist, xenophobic and nationalist theories and practices as a serious threat to the democratic law and order and other Council of Europe values.

Desecration of monuments to warriors of the anti-Hitler coalition, denial of the Holocaust and other atrocities of the Nazis and their accomplices, marches under Nazi emblems, decoration of collaborationists with the highest government awards of the Council of Europe member states are inadmissible. Organisers of such actions should be prosecuted by means of international and national law.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center’s 2011 annual report mentions several Council of Europe member states where Nazi war criminals still avoid punishment and whose crimes are not investigated on legal or ideological grounds. The Assembly urges these states to take necessary measures so that the evildoings of Nazis and their collaborators, that have no justification or statute of limitation, do not remain unpunished within the entire Council of Europe space, without reservations or exceptions. The Assembly resolves to constantly monitor measures taken by the Council of Europe member states in order to oppose Nazi and xenophobic theories and practices.