On 1 and 2 October 2015, the European Commission is organising the first 'annual colloquium on fundamental rights' in Brussels, whose main themes are the fight against anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred as well as promoting tolerance and respect in the European Union (EU). The Minister for Justice, Félix Braz spoke on behalf of the Luxembourg Presidency of the European Council on 1 October, 2015 and called on making Europe a place without anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred.
This conference, which aims to improve mutual cooperation in this regard between Member States, has been organised within the context of an upsurge in acts of a discriminatory nature and hate crimes in the EU. As noted by the Commission on the basis of a Eurobarometer survey on discrimination made public on 1 October, discrimination based on religion or beliefs is widespread for 50% of Europeans (compared with 39% in 2012). Furthermore, Muslims constitute the religious community with the lowest acceptance among the public, while anti-Semitic acts have increased. This is also reflected in the data provided by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) on crimes of an anti-Semitic nature published on 30 September 2015.
The colloquium has therefore enabled members of the Muslim and Jewish communities to come together, as well as representatives of national and local authorities, particularly NGOs and businesses, with a view to discussing best practices on the subject and to reflect on complementary measures to be taken.
In his speech, Félix Braz began by recalling the context in which this colloquium had been prepared: 'Europe and the world were still in shock from the terrible Paris attacks in January and have sworn to prevent and fight against anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred'. In the meantime, the refugee crisis placed emphasis 'on our common European values of tolerance and respect, which some see endangered', stated the Minister.
To deal with the poison of intolerance and hate, Félix Braz called for the double usage of prevention and repression. 'We must protect and bolster the fundamental right that is freedom of speech, while ensuring that its limits are very clear: namely the freedom and dignity of other persons, including their freedom of religion', he explained.
The prevention and fight against all sorts of hate speech and hate crime in Europe, in particular within the context of the refugee crisis, are among the main priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency, stated Félix Braz. The topic was placed on the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) agenda for 8 and 9 October, he announced. The Presidency intends to step up inquiries and prosecutions for these crimes on the basis of the work of a think-tank charged specifically with identifying the best practices of Member States in this domain, explained the Minister. As an example, Félix Braz mentioned strengthening the training of law enforcement agencies.
We must improve the investigation of hate speech and hate crimes, continued Félix Braz, who considers that the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) could contribute towards helping produce situation analyses.
'It is important to make it very clear that the Internet is not above the law', stated Félix Braz. He insisted on the importance of dialogue with access providers and social media in the fight against online hate speech. The responsibility of social networks will also be on the JHA Council agenda, he said on this subject.
If some Member States have developed good practices in this field, it is important to find a common European approach to a phenomenon that knows no national borders, stressed Félix Braz.
Beyond prevention and repression, Félix Braz also highlighted the importance of helping the victims of such crimes. A domain in which better cooperation between civil society and law enforcement authorities is needed, according to him.
'Hate speech is often the first stage in a radicalisation process', noted Félix Braz. This is why the Presidency will contribute towards organising a Ministerial Conference in Brussels on 19 October 2015, called 'The response of the criminal justice system to radicalisation'. It will deal with preventative actions, and the December JHA Council will provide the occasion to discuss the outcome of this Conference, stated the Minister.
Finally, Félix Braz stressed the importance of education. 'The root of all hate speech, hate crime and the intolerance which underpins them, is almost always a profound ignorance of the despised "others"', he explained. 'This is why schools have perhaps the most important role, alongside civil society and law enforcement authorities, in building an open and responsible society based on respect', concluded the Minister, calling on making Europe a place without anti-Semitism nor anti-Muslim hatred.