Dear Madam Dear Sir Dear colleagues and friends,
on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, I would like to personally congratulate and thank you for organising and supporting the Europe-wide action week against racism. The motto of this year's action week – open your mind, speak out against racism – clearly shows what the fight against racial discrimination is all about: continuously raising public and political awareness, and openly speaking out against the numerous problems that continue to exist in all EU member state, and particularly the increase in ethnically motivated violence of recent years.
In the Human Rights Subcommittee of the European Parliament, of which I am the chair, we address (besides numerous other topics) racial discrimination in all its human-rights aspects – even though we are, according to the treaties, obliged to stick to issues regarding non-EU countries. Our work includes topics such as racial or ethnic discrimination in conflict zones, the integration of Roma in society, or the crackdown by governments all over the world on ethnic minorities in their countries.
Still, the struggle against discrimination happens primarily on the ground. Therefore, I would like to thank you all for taking such a strong and united stance against racism – today, this week and in your everyday activities.
Yours sincerely
Barbara Lochbihler
ordförande Europaparlamentets subkommitté för mänskliga rättigheter
on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, I would like to personally congratulate and thank you for organising and supporting the Europe-wide action week against racism. The motto of this year's action week – open your mind, speak out against racism – clearly shows what the fight against racial discrimination is all about: continuously raising public and political awareness, and openly speaking out against the numerous problems that continue to exist in all EU member state, and particularly the increase in ethnically motivated violence of recent years.
In the Human Rights Subcommittee of the European Parliament, of which I am the chair, we address (besides numerous other topics) racial discrimination in all its human-rights aspects – even though we are, according to the treaties, obliged to stick to issues regarding non-EU countries. Our work includes topics such as racial or ethnic discrimination in conflict zones, the integration of Roma in society, or the crackdown by governments all over the world on ethnic minorities in their countries.
Still, the struggle against discrimination happens primarily on the ground. Therefore, I would like to thank you all for taking such a strong and united stance against racism – today, this week and in your everyday activities.
Yours sincerely
Barbara Lochbihler
ordförande Europaparlamentets subkommitté för mänskliga rättigheter