Call for EU ministers to ban racist substance, not symbols

5.56.10pm GMT Mon 17th Jan 2005

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has rejected calls by her German colleagues in the ALDE group for a Europe-wide ban on the swastika symbol.

Following the furore over Prince Harry wearing a swastika to a fancy dress party, the Leader of the German Liberals in the European Parliament (FDP), Silvana Koch-Merin has called for Nazi symbols to be banned across the whole of the EU.

The German MEP has called for the issue to be considered at the next meeting of EU justice ministers.

Speaking today the Liberal Democrat MEP said:

"I understand how the burden of history weighs upon my German colleagues' view. However, banning symbols cannot ban evil and risks playing into the hands of those who would seek to subvert the very liberties we most champion.

"I call on the next European Justice Ministers meeting on 24th February 2005 instead to stop dithering 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."

ENDS