Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-10-02-Speech-2-237"
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"en.20011002.9.2-237"2
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"Mr President, the resolution of the World Conference against Racism held in Durban is not exactly what many would have hoped for. I regret the withdrawal of the American delegation. This certainly did not do it a particular service in view of its own record on racism in its own country. This compromise resolution makes it very clear that much more needs to be done, especially in relation to our understanding of other cultures and religions. Islam, I have said many times, has in many ways been demonised, mostly by people who know nothing about it.
Durban was not a failure, nor was it indeed a great success; but it re-emphasised the imperative to make racism a crime, something I have called for many times in this House. It helped refocus governments' attention on issues of racism, which is based largely on ignorance and a fear of the unknown. European governments have a responsibility to show leadership in the area of racism and xenophobia and politicians and civic leaders are failing to address the issue of racism in their own communities. They are showing cowardice and a lack of courage in dealing with this particular issue. We have a long way to go in the European Union, but at least we have made a reasonable beginning in Durban. Those who participated in Durban deserve great credit.
The resolution refers to action against Islamophobia, which I support without reservation. I want to state yet again, here in this House, that I am a friend of Islam. Muslims around the world have unreservedly condemned these terrorist attacks. We must all ensure that under no circumstances is there any sort of backlash whatsoever against the Muslim communities within our Union. These terrorists acts were not carried out in the name of Islam. They were plainly brutal terrorist acts of a premeditated and determined nature. Just let me remind the House that no religion – or political movement for that matter – is without its fundamentalists."@en1
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