The challenge of far-right ideology to democracy and human rights in Europe

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 15337 | 28 June 2021

Signatories:

Mr Oleg VOLOSHYN, Ukraine, SOC ; Ms Thorhildur Sunna ÆVARSDÓTTIR, Iceland, SOC ; Mr Sos AVETISYAN, Armenia, SOC ; Ms Petra BAYR, Austria, SOC ; Mr Maurizio BUCCARELLA, Italy, SOC ; Ms María Luisa BUSTINDUY, Spain, SOC ; Mr Ahmet Ünal ÇEVİKÖZ, Turkey, SOC ; Mr Boriss CILEVIČS, Latvia, SOC ; Mr Yunus EMRE, Turkey, SOC ; Mr Pierre-Alain FRIDEZ, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Latifa GAHOUCHI, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino, SOC ; Mr Domagoj HAJDUKOVIĆ, Croatia, SOC ; Mr George KATROUGALOS, Greece, UEL ; Mr Kimmo KILJUNEN, Finland, SOC ; Ms Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA, North Macedonia, SOC ; Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, UEL ; Mr Christophe LACROIX, Belgium, SOC ; Ms Yuliya LOVOCHKINA, Ukraine, SOC ; Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI, San Marino, SOC ; Ms Selin SAYEK BÖKE, Turkey, SOC ; Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria, SOC ; Mr Frank SCHWABE, Germany, SOC

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

There has been a rise and rapid spread of far-right ideology in Europe. The expansion of intolerance, hate speech and discrimination is often accompanied by acts of intimidation and violence. Such negative trends are putting human rights and fundamental freedoms in jeopardy and are totally unacceptable in a democratic and pluralistic society.

Recent attempts to rehabilitate, justify and even glorify Nazi collaborators taking place in Council of Europe member States are a matter of particular concern. On 28 April 2021, hundreds of people marched in the heart of Kyiv to pay tribute to the Waffen SS Halychyna division that fought in the Nazi army during the Second World War. On 13 February 2021, a Nazi and neo-fascist event was held in Madrid to pay tribute to the Blue Division, the military unit under the auspices of dictator Francisco Franco. On 5 May 2019, the openly fascist group “Albanian Third Position” was founded in Albania.

Such manifestations of far-right politics should be subject to vigorous condemnation and joint response on the part of international community. A coherent and responsible policy is urgently needed to preserve free, secure and democratic Europe, as well as to contribute consolidating peace and stability in the region.

The Parliamentary Assembly should examine the challenges posed by far-right ideology with a view to elaborating Assembly’s recommendations aimed at hindering the spread of ideology of intolerance throughout Europe and eradicating impunity for acts of intimidation and violence committed by representatives of far-right movements.