Call for EU ministers to ban racist substance, not symbols

5.06.49pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 17th Jan 2005

In response to a call by some German parliamentarians for a Europe-wide ban on the swastika symbol, Baroness Sarah Ludford, London MEP and European Justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats said:

"The virus of racism and anti-semitism will not be eradicated through the banning of its symbols, since Fascist groups will find alternative icons. The urgent need is to address the substance of race hate, both its root causes and its criminal output."

"So I call on the next European Justice Ministers meeting on 24th February 2005 instead to stop dithering decide and decide quickly on the draft Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia proposed by the Commission over 3 years ago. This would criminalise incitement to racial and religious hatred throughout Europe."

"It is disgraceful that since MEPs gave the green light to this, discussions in the Council have stalled and governments have just sat on the file for almost two years. Let's not opt for gestures when solid action to put racists behind bars is required. "