Committee of Representatives of the Orthodox Churches
to the European Union
Square Ambiorix 2, 1000 Brussels
Tel. 026124190, [email protected]
Contributions for the Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights
“Tolerance and respect: preventing and combating anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim
hatred in Europe”
1-2 October 2015
PREAMBLE
To begin with, we would like to underscore the fact that, as representatives of the
Orthodox Churches to the European Union, we bear witness of our peoples’ centuries
long experience of living as a persecuted religious community, be it a minority or
majority. Moreover, it seems that these harsh times of persecution have not even by far
gone away, as the very existence of our Orthodox brothers and sisters in the Middle
East, as well as in other parts of the world, is currently under threat. The need for
religion is a worldwide-accepted phenomenon that is confirmed both historically and
scientifically. Since, according to the Christian tradition, every human being is made “in
the image of Triune God”, one has the natural need to keep one’s self in dialogue with
everybody, to respect and to love one’s neighbour as an irreplaceable part of one’s self.
As a matter of fact, the concern for communion with the other constitutes a fundamental
duty in all of the three monotheistic traditions.
Every person has the right to have a religion or not, which constitutes one’s individual
right. Religious Freedom was first established in Europe with the Edict of Milan, in 313,
thus protecting the right of the people to publicly and openly practice their religion.
Therefore, in the contemporary context, religious freedom is both an individual and
social right, and not merely a private business of someone.
The need for mutual understanding among the faithful of the three monotheistic religions
(Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) should equally be a priority for the EU. In the light of
art. 17 of TFU, inter-religious dialogue should not remain just a reality among European
religious and political leaders, but there have to be mechanisms put in place by the EU
to further promote this need at all levels. This could be achieved by promoting it, within
the EU member states, through public education, media, Internet, art and other cultural
activities especially organized for this purpose.
For sure, no human person should suffer as a consequence of stereotypes, prejudices,
racial or religious discrimination.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FOR CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS
1 – Can you inform about new trends showing an increase in anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents?
What are to your mind the underlying factors for each of these phenomena: religion, culture,
socioeconomic or political circumstances, prejudices, etc.?
Indeed, one can say that there is an increase in Anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents
in Europe. In both cases, generalization is at fault. On the one hand, concerning antiSemitism, there are those who blame and hold all Israelis responsible for the situation in
Palestine. This should not be the case, for blaming an entire nation because of
governmental politics is not the right way. On the other hand, anti-Muslim incidents take
place due to the monstrous crimes by ISIS. However, the lack of Muslim leaderships
worldwide willing to condemn these atrocities serves as an excuse to those who want to
identify and cultivate the idea of Islam equals terror in the European and international
societies. As far as new trends are concerned, we do not believe that this is the case,
since terrorist attacks are unfortunately nothing new. The underlying factors though are
clearly political circumstances as well as prejudice.
Another important element in this picture is the unprecedented rise in the phenomenon
of migration, which, coupled with the already existing and pressing problem of social
exclusion throughout Europe, significantly contributes to an exacerbation of ethnically
and religiously motivated prejudices and stereotypes.
2 – To which extent do you think anti-Semitism and Muslim hatred require a specific or a common
response?
We strongly believe that both a common and a specific response are necessary in order
to put an end to this situation. A common answer is needed in as far as it has to be a
European one, and European citizens have to grow in solidarity with one another. A
specific answer is to be found in as far as we are often times facing conflicts which were
imported into Europe from abroad.
Europe has had a first-hand experience in both anti-Semitism and Muslim hatred. Yet,
today, when compared with other parts of the world, it is a house which keeps itself
open to diversity, having become a multicultural and multireligious space. The goal for
the EU should be to become a welcoming home to all, a home within which everybody
has to find his/her place, while showing full respect for all the other indwellers. Such a
long-term solution that would be viable and effective can only be reached through right
education. Furthermore, assuring that hate-speech and propaganda will not be
promoted in places of worship or in the media is of foremost importance.
3 – Beyond security measures, which are necessary to ensure the security of people and sites, how can
the feeling of security of Jewish and Muslim communities in European States be improved?
A sincere and honest dialogue has to be cultivated among all religious communities. It
might sound hard but if the people realize that they have to respect the laws and the
values of the European Society in order for them to continue to be part of it then there is
hope that the future generations will be different.
4 – Which measures do you think would be most effective in tackling the issue of hate speech, including
online, with a particular focus on expressions of anti-Semitism and islamophobia?
The first measure, which would address the issue of hate speech in a long-term
perspective, lies in education. Religiously motivated hate speech is first and foremost an
expression of a distorted understanding of one’s own religion. Consequently, the place
of Religious education within the public education systems should be further articulated
and consolidated, making sure that it offers a sound and genuine introduction to the
religious faith of children, complementary to the religious formation received within the
religious community itself. Equally important, this discipline of study should help children
to positively evaluate the religious, as well as cultural, diversity, which becomes evermore characteristic of our European societies. The media of all kinds and culture are
also important components of this picture, having the inherent potential of more
implicitly, but equally more convincingly, transmit a message of tolerance. Finally, a firm
attitude should be adopted towards all those promoting ethnically or religiously
motivated hate speech or crime.
5 – What are the main challenges and gaps in effectively combating racist, anti-Semitic and islamophobic
speech and crime in terms of legislation and its implementation? What should be done to overcome these
challenges and how do you think the EU could facilitate this?
On the one hand at the level of legislation, we believe that an adequate legal system is
in place to deal with this issue. However, that which is direly needed is the duly
implementation thereof, in order to keep the balance between freedom of expression
and religious hatred, avoiding any form of hate speech. The EU should encourage
Member States to follow closely legal cases pertaining to this issue.
6 – What would be the most effective avenues of cooperation to ensure greater effectiveness in
preventing and combating anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim discrimination and hatred (i.e. in the area of
investigation, prosecution, data collection, victims’ reporting and support, etc)? What would be the role of
civil society and national and local authorities and communities?
It is obvious that religiously or ethnically motivated discrimination and hatred - antiSemitic and anti-Muslim expressions making no exception – are not a phenomenon to
be addressed solely by a specific institution. Therefore, a close and constant
cooperation amongst the various institutions involved is to be envisioned at all levels
(international, national, regional and local). Periodic meetings and seminars on the topic
should be encouraged, which would facilitate the exchange of good practices, while at
once ensuring a certain cohesion in the efforts to tackle the phenomenon.
The civil society can play a most important role first and foremost by putting the problem
on the table and raising the public awareness of it. Secondly, it can serve as a
cementing factor, bringing together at the same table the various social actors that could
have a say in ameliorating the situation. Thirdly, it could be very efficient in working with
the victims of religiously or ethnically motivated discrimination and hatred, by way of
encouraging them to report the abuses, helping them overcome the emotional
consequences thereof, and providing assistance in the legal proceedings, when
necessary.
7 – How can social inclusion and inter-cultural cooperation contribute to actively combat anti-Semitic and
Anti-Muslim discrimination and promote equality? What can be done at local level to contribute to actively
combat such discrimination? Could you give some examples of best practices? What are in your opinion
the most effective tools to counter amalgams, stereotypes and negative perceptions?
In order to promote equality and religious diversity it is important to develop new
strategies in the area of education. There should be a primary language of the European
country that you are living but still a secondary language of identity and origin. As
example of good practices, one could mention the Museums of Immigration in London,
initiatives such as intercultural and interreligious education. It would be also important to
give a public space for various cultural events, exhibitions, festivals, sportive
competitions.
8 – What are the main gaps and obstacles (legislative, political, administrative, or financial) to fill at
national/local level to counter discrimination based on religion, belief and/or ethnic origin in practice? How
can such gaps be tackled at EU level?
One of the main gaps to fill is the collapse of national identities, in absence of a
European narrative which would include particularity and universality. In a context in
which national identities are not being promoted anymore, articulating a common
European identity is not an easy task, not least so due to the ongoing process of
globalisation. The question thus is: how could one demand Jews and Muslims, but also
Sikhs and Hindus, to integrate, if there is nothing to integrate into, except for a culture of
consumerism, abortions, abuse of freedom etc. The truth is that such a culture is not
always what Muslims, Jews, Orthodox Christians and many others really want for their
children. Withal, every country's immigrants had something to integrate into European
society.
Consequently, the policies designed to generate social inclusion, have, in fact, led to
social exclusion, with the outcome that instead of becoming a multicultural society,
Europe has a community of minorities.
At the EU level one could envision the elaboration of sets of guidelines on the promotion
of freedom of religion or belief, integration and respect.
9 – What role could leaders, including religious and community leaders, play in proposing social
representations and a narrative which are inclusive, based on common values and mutual understanding?
Which are the most effective practices taken that have effectively evidenced a positive impact and a
potential for replication, in particular at local level and amongst and by young people? What could be the
role of the media in this respect?
It would obviously be to the clear benefit of the European societies if religious leaders
would work together towards creating bonds of good relationships, and ideally of
personal friendships. Joint social events, manifestations, television programs with
participation of the representatives of the different communities present in a certain area
have to show that religious leaders can relate to each other, that they can be friendly
and cooperative. Where the various faith communities in Europe have worked together
in that way, this has made a big difference.
If the motto of the twenty-first century is “Think globally, act locally,” there are no
organizations in the world better in doing this than religions. It’s what Christians, Jews,
and Muslims have done since the very beginning. The emergence of the monotheistic
religions in a post-political age as the great movers in international relations should have
been foreseen, because that is what they do.
Social projects which invite every faith community in Europe to engage in some act of
community service, solidarity work, and thus takes it across its own boundaries could
prove to have a very significant impact, because religion has the power to create
communities. However, religion, with all its positive aspects, has also the negative
potential of creating barriers between communities.
In the current context of the reappearance of anti-Semitism and islamophobia, especially
promoted via the internet and mass-media, these tools acquire a most important role in
the efforts aiming at the promotion of respect for diversity and tolerance within the
modern society.
10 – What type of discriminatory obstacles Jewish and Muslims experience most frequently in the field of
education and employment?
According to the education systems of European Union’s countries there should not be
any kind of discrimination since religion freedom is part of Human Rights. However,
every European member state’s law should be protecting the rights of minorities and of
course any kind of religious right that does not comes against other citizens’ human
rights. As for the part of employment we may say that the obstacles are mainly their
name and appearance which reveal right way their national and religious identity and or
ethnic background
11 – How could the society adjust to an increasing diversity? What is the society at large ready to
accommodate for a better "living together"?
Societies should try to adjust to the enormous diversities that are facing nowadays.
However, at the same time there should be an effort on behalf of the minorities to show
respect to the values and traditions of the societies that they are entering. That of course
does not mean that they are called to lose their own identity, but rather to build personal
bridges between their various cultures and identities.
12 – What are/could be concrete measures with the greatest impact to be taken by businesses (in public
and private employment) and social partners to facilitate and encourage inclusion of ethnic and religious
minorities and foster mutual understanding, and how could they be disseminated?
In our opinion businesses, both in public or private employment, and social partners can
and should be flexible in such way by including ethnic and religious minorities in their
personnel when qualified. Religious or ethnic background should not be the reason to
hire or not someone. One of the major problems is when asked to act on behalf of your
job in such a way that goes against your religious believe, a problem that needs further
examination.
13 – Which further initiatives could Member States, EU institutions and international organizations take in
order to promote common values and mutual understanding and counter stereotypes in the educational
sphere (e.g. citizenship education; education about the EU history, its fundamental values and EU rights;
intercultural workshops in school, training for teachers, guidelines for educators, etc.). What are already
existing best practices in this respect?
We consider all initiatives mentioned here as useful and productive to the purpose.
The European Union should promote religious education in public schools, because
through education long-term solutions can be found to problems such as religious
fundamentalism intolerance and radicalism thus preventing them from taking roots in the
souls of children. Religious education in public schools will provide the safe environment
for dialogue and better understanding between the different religions that are taught.
Moreover we would like to underline the importance of the use of media in order to
promote common European values and principles
Remaining in line with the principle of subsidiary for each Member State, we support the
idea of being able to have the right to discretely display religious symbols as long as this
does not affect public security. Therefore the Citizens of the Member-States should be
encouraged to express their religious beliefs and should be able
them, as long as they want to, discrete symbols of their faith,
religious feelings oppressed because of an imposed uniformity,
principle of unity in diversity. There should be an exception only
public security.
to carry around with
without having their
thus reinforcing the
for the protection of