Motion for a resolution | Doc. 12737 | 03 October 2011

Role of NGOs in countering nationalism, migrantophobia and xenophobia in Europe

Author(s): several Assembly members

Signatories: Mr Andrey MOLCHANOV, Russian Federation, EDG ; Mr Mladen BOSIĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina, EDG ; Lord Tim BOSWELL, United Kingdom, EDG ; Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Latvia, SOC ; Mr Michael CONNARTY, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Ismeta DERVOZ, Bosnia and Herzegovina, EPP/CD ; Mr Valeriy FEDOROV, Russian Federation, EDG ; Mr Andreas GROSS, Switzerland, SOC ; Mr Mike HANCOCK, United Kingdom, ALDE ; Mr Tadeusz IWIŃSKI, Poland, SOC ; Ms Milica MARKOVIĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina, SOC ; Mr Dick MARTY, Switzerland, ALDE ; Sir Alan MEALE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Valery PARFENOV, Russian Federation, EDG ; Mr Kimmo SASI, Finland, EPP/CD ; Mr Sergey SOBKO, Russian Federation, UEL ; Mr Valeriy SUDARENKOV, Russian Federation, SOC ; Mr Boško TOMIĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina, SOC ; Mr Ilyas UMAKHANOV, Russian Federation, EDG ; Ms Tatiana VOLOZHINSKAYA, Russian Federation, EDG ; Mr Vladimir ZHIDKIKH, Russian Federation, EDG

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

Nationalism, migrantophobia and xenophobia are on the rise in Europe both in everyday life and at political level. The latest events in some countries of the continent clearly demonstrate that hushing up this problem leads to unpredictable, destructive consequences sometimes accompanied by loss of human lifes.

These phenomena have nothing to do with the ideas of democracy and human rights. They contradict the high standards of the Council of Europe and the main norms of the International Law in particular the documents of the United Nations, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Europe should not stay indifferent to such serious problems currently faced by many countries.

The Assembly calls for strong condemnation of manifestations of nationalism, migrantophobia and xenophobia.

Efforts made by many European governments to counter such incidents do not always lead to desired results due to particularities of the phenomena and nihilistic attitudes in the society.

In this respect, NGO activities acquire special significance. Being, by its nature, independent from the influence of leading political parties, supported by the wide masses, uniting among their members people belonging to different ethnic, diaspora and confessional groups, NGOs are in a position to most effectively influence personal perceptions and public consciousness as well as to carry out public awareness and peace keeping activities at all levels of the public life.

Therefore the Assembly should prepare an appropriate report and organise special hearings in order to work out timely measures aimed to support the activities of non-governmental organisations in the fight against nationalism, migrantophobia and xenophobia in Europe.