Van der Linden (Raad van Europa) bezorgd over etnische problemen in Slowakije (en) - Hoofdinhoud
Strasbourg, 31.08.2006 – The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) René van der Linden today spoke out against xenophobia and intolerance in Slovakia, following the recent violent attack on a young ethnic-Hungarian woman.
“Xenophobia and intolerance are incompatible with the basic values of democracy and represent a continuing threat to peace and stability throughout Europe,” said Mr van der Linden. “Democratic politicians must take a stand against the use of racist or xenophobic discourse in politics, which contributes to a climate of violence by legitimising hatred and intolerance.”
“Recent developments in Slovakia, where threats and insults against the Hungarian minority, in particular, have increased in recent months, are currently a source of great concern,” he continued. “Whilst I welcome the Slovakian authorities’ condemnation of extremist acts, I call on them also to condemn all instances of hate speech, in accordance with the obligations of a member State of the Council of Europe to protect the rights of national minorities.”
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