The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) and ENAR Italy are deeply concerned by the succession of neo-Nazi and neo-fascist demonstrations and events taking place in Italy in the last weeks. Ahead of a neo-fascist demonstration planned tomorrow, on 22 May, in Milan, we call on the municipality of Milan and the Italian government to take a strong stand against right-wing extremism. Luciano Scagliotti, ENAR Board member for Italy, said: “We welcome the fact that the head of police in Milan has forbidden this neo-nazi rally ‘for public security reasons’, but more action is required to stop another European neo-nazi convention scheduled to take place in Milan on 29 May. Italian authorities must clearly show their refusal of fascism and racism.” ENAR and ENAR Italy are also concerned that local and national authorities have generally not taken action to denounce these demonstrations. Although some events were blocked, many others happened under the silence of both the authorities and the media, amounting to complicity with the neo-fascist movement. Far right groups’ actions are becoming increasingly visible, leading to rising cases of racist violence against minorities in Italy, but also elsewhere in Europe. These groups also increasingly have a transnational dimension, trying to bring together extreme right groups and parties from other EU countries. Their celebration of the Hungarian far right party Jobbik as a model for the rest of Europe is particularly worrying, given the party’s stances against Roma and other minorities. Particularly in times of economic crisis, the slogans used by these far right groups - against the power of banks, for a fortress Europe, etc. - have disturbing analogies with those of the 1930s Nazis, in a similar context of economic downturn. Mohammed Aziz, ENAR President, added: “History has taught us the dangers of right-wing extremism. Yet we are now experiencing a rise of the far right across Europe and even mainstream political parties expressing racist sentiments, and it is urgent to do something about it. Politicians and leaders across Europe must firmly condemn the rhetoric of these groups.”
The PDF Press Release
the Website Enar
Friday, 21 May 2010
BNP teacher could be banned in GTC 'first'
After admitting anti-Muslim postings, he faces historic charge of religious intolerance
A BNP supporter could become the first teacher to be struck off for religious intolerance next Monday.
Adam Walker will appear before a General Teaching Council (GTC) panel on Monday, charged with making anti-Muslim comments on a website while using a school laptop.
Mr Walker, who used to teach at Houghton Kepier Sports College at Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, quit the school in 2007.
He admits writing the comments - made under a pseudonym - but claims they had no link to his work as a design and technology teacher.
Legal wrangles have been going on for over a year, and his team has succeeded in removing former NUT president Judy Moorhouse from the disciplinary panel, arguing that her union's policies mean she would be biased against him. Fears of clashes between the BNP, protesters and police led to the case being postponed at the beginning of last year.
But his lawyers were unsuccessful in their claim that website administrators were wrong to reveal his identity and his posts should not be used in evidence.
Mr Walker, now working as campaigns co-ordinator for BNP MEP Andrew Brons, has vowed to take the case to the "highest level" if found guilty.
Teaching union the NASUWT has accused the GTC of allowing the BNP to use the case to attract publicity.
Mr Walker's brother Mark, who taught at Sunnydale Community College in Shildon, County Durham, lost his employment tribunal case for unfair dismissal last month.
He claimed he had been fired for his political views and involvement with the BNP. But the panel said the school had been justified in its actions on account of his sickness record.
Tes
A BNP supporter could become the first teacher to be struck off for religious intolerance next Monday.
Adam Walker will appear before a General Teaching Council (GTC) panel on Monday, charged with making anti-Muslim comments on a website while using a school laptop.
Mr Walker, who used to teach at Houghton Kepier Sports College at Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, quit the school in 2007.
He admits writing the comments - made under a pseudonym - but claims they had no link to his work as a design and technology teacher.
Legal wrangles have been going on for over a year, and his team has succeeded in removing former NUT president Judy Moorhouse from the disciplinary panel, arguing that her union's policies mean she would be biased against him. Fears of clashes between the BNP, protesters and police led to the case being postponed at the beginning of last year.
But his lawyers were unsuccessful in their claim that website administrators were wrong to reveal his identity and his posts should not be used in evidence.
Mr Walker, now working as campaigns co-ordinator for BNP MEP Andrew Brons, has vowed to take the case to the "highest level" if found guilty.
Teaching union the NASUWT has accused the GTC of allowing the BNP to use the case to attract publicity.
Mr Walker's brother Mark, who taught at Sunnydale Community College in Shildon, County Durham, lost his employment tribunal case for unfair dismissal last month.
He claimed he had been fired for his political views and involvement with the BNP. But the panel said the school had been justified in its actions on account of his sickness record.
Tes
Fascist cult 'may have killed Jewish student'
A coroner in Germany ruled that Jeremiah Duggan, 22, had committed suicide by running on to a road where he was hit by fast-moving cars in 2003.
A High Court judge in London yesterday said that evidence of “foul play” must be investigated after new details suggested the crash was faked and he might have been killed.
The court was told that Mr Duggan, from north London, had attended a youth event organised by the far-Right, “cult like’’ LaRouche group before his death.
Mr Duggan, who was studying at the British Institute and the Sorbonne in Paris, had believed he was attending a conference about the problems in Iraq.
Lord Justice Elias said his death, which was thought to have occurred on a highway near Wiesbaden, might have happened elsewhere and could have been “stage managed” to look like a road accident.
One member of the LaRouche group allegedly told his mother: “We have hunted him down ... it is right that he is dead, he is a traitor and a spy.”
The judge ruled that potentially crucial evidence was not available at the first inquest held in 2003 by Dr William Dolman, the north London coroner. Dr Dolman concluded in a narrative verdict that Mr Duggan “received fatal head injuries when he ran into the road” after phone calls home disclosed that he was “in a state of terror”.
Quashing that inquest, Lord Justice Elias said: “It is sufficient that fresh evidence here could alter the verdict, and in any event it is very much in the interests of justice that it should be carefully considered and analysed in a fresh inquest.
“It puts in issue whether or not there may have been foul play. It is necessary that this fresh inquest is held. We are not saying what the outcome of that inquest will be.’’
The decision was welcomed by Erica Duggan, Jeremiah’s mother, who has long fought for a new hearing. She hopes it will lead to the German authorities reopening their investigations into her son’s death.
She said: “No country has investigated my son’s death properly as yet. The German state has failed us. The British state has an obligation to establish how Jeremiah died.”
Lawyers for Mrs Duggan described the LaRouche group as “a cult-like organisation which Mrs Duggan now knows espouses a fascist and anti-Semitic ideology and is headed by Lyndon LaRouche, a convicted fraudster”.
The new inquest will be before a different coroner.
The Telegraph
A High Court judge in London yesterday said that evidence of “foul play” must be investigated after new details suggested the crash was faked and he might have been killed.
The court was told that Mr Duggan, from north London, had attended a youth event organised by the far-Right, “cult like’’ LaRouche group before his death.
Mr Duggan, who was studying at the British Institute and the Sorbonne in Paris, had believed he was attending a conference about the problems in Iraq.
Lord Justice Elias said his death, which was thought to have occurred on a highway near Wiesbaden, might have happened elsewhere and could have been “stage managed” to look like a road accident.
One member of the LaRouche group allegedly told his mother: “We have hunted him down ... it is right that he is dead, he is a traitor and a spy.”
The judge ruled that potentially crucial evidence was not available at the first inquest held in 2003 by Dr William Dolman, the north London coroner. Dr Dolman concluded in a narrative verdict that Mr Duggan “received fatal head injuries when he ran into the road” after phone calls home disclosed that he was “in a state of terror”.
Quashing that inquest, Lord Justice Elias said: “It is sufficient that fresh evidence here could alter the verdict, and in any event it is very much in the interests of justice that it should be carefully considered and analysed in a fresh inquest.
“It puts in issue whether or not there may have been foul play. It is necessary that this fresh inquest is held. We are not saying what the outcome of that inquest will be.’’
The decision was welcomed by Erica Duggan, Jeremiah’s mother, who has long fought for a new hearing. She hopes it will lead to the German authorities reopening their investigations into her son’s death.
She said: “No country has investigated my son’s death properly as yet. The German state has failed us. The British state has an obligation to establish how Jeremiah died.”
Lawyers for Mrs Duggan described the LaRouche group as “a cult-like organisation which Mrs Duggan now knows espouses a fascist and anti-Semitic ideology and is headed by Lyndon LaRouche, a convicted fraudster”.
The new inquest will be before a different coroner.
The Telegraph
Facebook group launches 'virtual protest' against neo-Nazis (Germany)
In the last week, the Facebook group Kein Facebook für Nazis - NPD Seite löschen, or “No Facebook for Nazis – delete the NPD page,” has gained some 260,000 members, weekly news magazine Stern reported on Thursday.
Members have been tasked with photographing themselves, arms outstretched, to simulate a human chain against the neo-Nazi party's Facebook presence. They have also been asked to incorporate the new group’s logo – a hand on which the index finger is illuminated – into the photos.
The Facegroup can be found Here
The virtual demonstration is set to reach its pinnacle on May 22-23, when organisers hope the action will influence Facebook administrators to take action against neo-Nazi content on the network.
According to Stern previous attempts to report neo-Nazi or NPD party content have had limited success because the social network takes a lenient approach and the right-wing extremist organisations fight diligently against being banned from it.
The group had initially called for an “online flashmob” on Sunday that would bombard NPD Facebook pages with comments and photos – but the attempt failed when the neo-Nazis deactivated the site.
Other efforts have included the publication of neo-Nazi organisation members’ email addresses for a similar bombardment.
The group has sent an open letter to Facebook’s Hamburg office that reads: “We believe that you have a singular chance to bring together and link people and cultures of all kinds. We believe that social networks should serve the better understanding of all people and cultures.”
The “virtual candle-lit demonstration” is the first attempt to create a broad social front against right-wing extremist activity, Stern said, explaining that instead of anonymous street protests, users are putting their names and faces on the line.
Recent German government intelligence reports show that right-wing extremists are increasing their activity on online social networks to reach young people. In April the Lower Saxony state intelligence service warned that neo-Nazis are using sites like Facebook, and similar German sites such as SchülerVZ, StudiVZ, Wer-kennt-wen and StayFriends to find new recruits.
The danger is that many young people are unable to recognise propaganda and attempts at indoctrination from these groups at first glance, head of the state intelligence agency Hans Wargel told daily Die Welt. Instead of blatant symbols such as swastikas, many are using graffiti and other less-recognisable imagery from youth culture, he said.
The tactic is new for these groups, he added, referring to a newspaper for the neo-Nazi NPD party called Deutsche Stimme, which recently encouraged its members to appear on online forums as people with humour, hobbies, and serious cultural interests.
The Local Germany
The prospect of a burqa ban spreads across Europe
Belgium
Belgium has made the furthest steps towards banning the burqa and the niqab. At the end of April, parliament agreed unanimously on a law that would forbid full veiling in public. But the law must still be approved by the Belgian senate, which is not seen as secure. Certain members of parliament have doubts about the constitutionality of such a ban.
France
On Wednesday, the French cabinet introduced a bill that would also ban face-covering in public. If parliament agrees on the measure, wearing a burqa or a niqab could carry a fine as early as the beginning of 2011. Veiled women would have to pay 150 euro ($188), according to press reports. Men who force women to wear veils could face a year in prison and a 15,000 euro fine.
Netherlands
Several bills banning face veils are being prepared simultaneously in the Netherlands, some addressing schools and the public service sector. Right-wing politician Geert Wilders is pushing especially hard for a ban on the veils. But Job Cohen, the Labour Party mayor of Amsterdam, is also calling for a measure that would take away unemployment payments for burqa-wearing woman who turn down job offers at a workplace that would require them to come to work unveiled.
Italy
Rules for the 'protection of the public order' have been on the books in Italy since 1975. This forbids head coverings in public facilities, whether it's a motor cycle helmet or a face veil. Italy's Equality Minister Mara Carfagna wants to write in an explicit ban on the burqa into this law. There are also four different bills from the governing coalition and the opposition for a ban of face veils, with penalties of up to two years in jail. There is also some resistance to these measures, for example from Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
Austria
The Austrian far-right Alliance for the Future of Austria party intends to introduce a bill to parliament calling for a burqa ban. Social Democratic Chancellor Werner Faymann has already said he would support such a ban in principle. But his coalition partners, the Austrian People's Party, have called for a widespread debate on the issue.
Denmark
A majority of the Danish population says it would support a burqa ban. The coalition partners in parliament are not quite as united in their stance on the issue, but agreed at the end of January to "fight against" face veils. The government would like to avoid a law because of constitutionality concerns from the justice ministry. But it has been agreed that schools, public sector institutions, and companies should take strict action against face veiling.
Switzerland
The country that passed a ban on the construction of minarets is also calling loudly for a ban on the burqa. But debate on the issue in the Swiss government has been put off as it sees no cause to discuss a ban at the moment.
Great Britain
A ban on face-veiling is not an official priority in Great Britain. The topic is being discussed on talk shows and in newspaper columns, but none of the three major political parties have taken up the cause. Only right-wing extremists are calling for a burqa ban in Britain.
European Council weighs in
Meanwhile, the European Council has voiced opposition to the burqa-ban ambitions of Belgium and France. Parliamentarians in the culture committee have spoken out against a general face-veil ban because it could run counter to the freedom of religion. The European Council's Human Rights Commissioner, Thomas Hammarberg, has warned that a burqa ban would only increase the tension between religious communities. Human rights conventions only allow controls on religious freedom in the interest of public safety or the preservation of democracy. Hammarberg says that is not the case in this situation.
Du World
France
On Wednesday, the French cabinet introduced a bill that would also ban face-covering in public. If parliament agrees on the measure, wearing a burqa or a niqab could carry a fine as early as the beginning of 2011. Veiled women would have to pay 150 euro ($188), according to press reports. Men who force women to wear veils could face a year in prison and a 15,000 euro fine.
Netherlands
Several bills banning face veils are being prepared simultaneously in the Netherlands, some addressing schools and the public service sector. Right-wing politician Geert Wilders is pushing especially hard for a ban on the veils. But Job Cohen, the Labour Party mayor of Amsterdam, is also calling for a measure that would take away unemployment payments for burqa-wearing woman who turn down job offers at a workplace that would require them to come to work unveiled.
Italy
Rules for the 'protection of the public order' have been on the books in Italy since 1975. This forbids head coverings in public facilities, whether it's a motor cycle helmet or a face veil. Italy's Equality Minister Mara Carfagna wants to write in an explicit ban on the burqa into this law. There are also four different bills from the governing coalition and the opposition for a ban of face veils, with penalties of up to two years in jail. There is also some resistance to these measures, for example from Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
Austria
The Austrian far-right Alliance for the Future of Austria party intends to introduce a bill to parliament calling for a burqa ban. Social Democratic Chancellor Werner Faymann has already said he would support such a ban in principle. But his coalition partners, the Austrian People's Party, have called for a widespread debate on the issue.
Denmark
A majority of the Danish population says it would support a burqa ban. The coalition partners in parliament are not quite as united in their stance on the issue, but agreed at the end of January to "fight against" face veils. The government would like to avoid a law because of constitutionality concerns from the justice ministry. But it has been agreed that schools, public sector institutions, and companies should take strict action against face veiling.
Switzerland
The country that passed a ban on the construction of minarets is also calling loudly for a ban on the burqa. But debate on the issue in the Swiss government has been put off as it sees no cause to discuss a ban at the moment.
Great Britain
A ban on face-veiling is not an official priority in Great Britain. The topic is being discussed on talk shows and in newspaper columns, but none of the three major political parties have taken up the cause. Only right-wing extremists are calling for a burqa ban in Britain.
European Council weighs in
Meanwhile, the European Council has voiced opposition to the burqa-ban ambitions of Belgium and France. Parliamentarians in the culture committee have spoken out against a general face-veil ban because it could run counter to the freedom of religion. The European Council's Human Rights Commissioner, Thomas Hammarberg, has warned that a burqa ban would only increase the tension between religious communities. Human rights conventions only allow controls on religious freedom in the interest of public safety or the preservation of democracy. Hammarberg says that is not the case in this situation.
Du World
English Defence League discussing Walsall demonstration
A spokesman for the EDL said the group would be protesting over a proposed new mosque in Walsall on June 19.
On the group’s Facebook page, supporters from around the country have bowed to attend the demonstation set to be held between 1.30pm and 4.40pm.
The web-page for the protest claims the group will be protesting a new mosque in the town, echoing recent demonstrations in Dudley which brought massive disruption over two Bank Holiday weekends.
The group have not confirmed outside which Walsall mosque they intend to protest.
However, the Mail understands the only new mosque in the district will be in the refurbished Bethel Chapel in nearby Willenhall.
A post on the group’s Facebook site from one of the group’s moderators said: “The date has just been set, there will be meetings and discussions over the next few weeks to decide the best location for the demo.”
Claiming to be against extreme Islam, the group have held protests across the country, including in Birmingham, where violence erupted between the EDL and rival groups.
EDL spokesman Steve Simmonds said: “The group’s leadership have announced a protest will take place in Walsall on June 19. Further details will be revealed after a meeting of the group.”
Mr Simmonds added violence at other demos had been caused by outsiders claiming to be EDL supporters.
“We’ve had people coming in who have no interest in the EDL and they just want to kick off,” he said.
“We’re trying to identify those people and we’ll hand them over to the police. The problem is they’re in a public place and can only be arrested if they commit an offence.”
He added communication between the EDL and police would make future demonstrations, including the next Dudley protest on July 17, less disruptive.
“We’re hoping to have a better demonstration and cause as little disruption as possible.”
West Midlands Police, who carried out large operations at the Dudley demonstrations, said they were not aware of a Walsall protest. A spokesman said: “We will continue to monitor the situation.”
Birmingham mail
Shooting of Colombian human rights activist condemned
Amnesty International has called on the Colombian authorities to investigate the killing of a human rights defender who was campaigning against abuses committed by paramilitaries and the security forces in the north-western region of Sucre.
Rogelio Martínez, who represented displaced rural communities in the area of San Onofre, was shot dead by a group of hooded men dressed in black as he travelled home by motorbike taxi on Tuesday.
“Rogelio Martínez campaigned long and hard to ensure that peasant farmers in the area could reclaim lands stolen from them by paramilitaries in collusion with the security forces, and he was dedicated to exposing human rights violations committed by these groups," said Marcelo Pollack, Colombia researcher at Amnesty International.
Martínez was also a member of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE). He had been repeatedly threatened with death because of his work, along with other MOVICE members and land right activists in Sucre.
Activists campaigning for the return of lands stolen by paramilitary groups have been particularly vulnerable to threats and killings in recent years.
"Those campaigning for truth, justice and reparation and for the return of lands stolen by paramilitary groups in the context of Colombia’s long-running armed conflict continue to pay a heavy price for their human rights work," said Marcelo Pollack.
"The Colombian authorities also have a responsibility to ensure that human rights defenders in Sucre, and in the country as a whole, are effectively protected so that they can carry out their work safely and free from fear”, said Marcelo Pollack.
Amnesty International has condemned the killing of Rogelio Martínez and urged the authorities to carry out an immediate and impartial investigation to ensure that those responsible for his death are brought to justice.
Amnesty International
HUNGARIAN JEWISH CONGRESS CALLS FOR EXILING RACISM FROM PARLIAMENT
Hungary's democratic parliamentary parties should make joint efforts "to prevent Parliament from becoming a forum of discriminators and anti-Semites," the Hungarian Jewish Congress (MZSK) said on Sunday. In a statement sent to MTI, MZSK called it a dangerous development that representatives of a group whose supporters kept voicing racist and anti-Semitic views during the election campaign had made their way to Parliament. The congress has therefore asked the democratic parliamentary parties to isolate the voices of hatred and guarantee that the effective laws be enforced by all. The statement followed the inaugural session of Parliament on Friday where Gabor Vona, leader of the radical nationalist Jobbik party, stirred controversy by wearing a black vest with symbols of the party's banned paramilitary arm, the Hungarian Guard.
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