B4-0866, 0883, 0885, 0897, 0900, 0903, 0920, 0927 and 0932/95

Resolution on a day to commemorate the Holocaust

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its numerous resolutions on combating racism and xenophobia and its resolution of 11 February 1993 on European and international protection for Nazi concentration camps as historical monuments ((OJ C 72, 15.3.1993, p. 118.)),

A. having regard to the upsurge of racism, anti-semitism and xenophobia facing the international community,

B. whereas Europe must respond firmly and clearly to these threats,

C. insisting that the peace in Western Europe since 1945 will not continue if the totalitarian and racist ideologies of the Nazis which led to the Holocaust of the Jews, the genocide of the gypsies, the mass murder of millions of others and to the Second World War are not prevented from spreading their pernicious influence,

D. having regard to the fundamental importance of education in preserving and passing on memories, particularly with regard to the Second World War,

E. having regard to the emergence of revisionist theses concerning the genocide which took place during the Second World War,

F. whereas the Advisory Committee on Racism and Xenophobia has completed its work and proposed to the Council a series of measures to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism,

G. whereas the dangers of the upsurge in racism, anti-semitism and xenophobia have recently been illustrated by shocking incidents in the Member States, such as racist killings, arson attacks, bomb attacks and the desecration of cemeteries,

1. Calls for an annual European Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust to be instituted in all the Member States of the Union;

2. Calls on the Member States to organize on this day activities which recall the Second World War and the Holocaust and illustrate the dangers of totalitarian and racist ideologies to young people in particular;

3. Calls on the Commission to draw up a European pilot project for the organization of this day;

4. Calls on the member states of the Council of Europe to back this initiative;

5. Calls on the European Council to adopt an overall strategy to combat racism and xenophobia, to ensure that the European Union and the Member States give a clear and firm response to the menaces of racism, xenophobia, anti- semitism and Holocaust-denial;

6. Reiterates its request in its most recent resolution of 27 April 1995 on racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism ((Minutes of that Sitting, Part II, Item 4.)) that the Commission study ways in which the Union, whilst respecting the principle of subsidiarity, can act against racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and Holocaust-denial at European level;

7. Calls on the Council to take immediate account of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and to transform them into actual measures to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-semitism;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States, and the governments of the member states of the Council of Europe.