MEPs 'will shame states ignoring racism laws'

MEPs today launched a new drive to “name and shame” EU governments not deemed to be enforcing European legislation banning discrimination against minorities.

"The move is part of a campaign to reinforce the ethnic minority voice” across Europe, said London Labour MEP Claude Moraes, who will head the new cross-party group.

The group will highlight Islamaphobia and anti-Semitism in Europe following the terrorist atrocities in the US in September 2001.

“There is a raging debate over integration in EU countries and we will ensure a parliamentary voice for millions of ethnic minority EU citizens. That is at the heart of this new all-party group of MEPs launched today,“ said Mr Moraes.

He added: “The group will be bold in its activities, which will include naming and shaming member states that are reluctant to enforce EU legislation prohibiting discrimination against minorities.

“This is an exciting development in the European Parliament.

"With the backing of key NGOs like the EU Social Platform, and European Network Against Racism, we will provide a robust ethnic minority voice in Europe at a critical and sensitive time on issues of integration, multiculturalism and the rise of far-right and anti-immigration populist political parties across the EU.”

Mr Moraes is an Asian MEP with an established record of tackling immigration and anti-racism issues. The new group’s membership includes the first MEP of Roma origin, Hungary’s Lívia Járóka, and Germany’s Feleknas Uca, the first MEP of Kurdish origin.