Blow
Fascism Away - Join The Movement
9 November 2005 International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism |
Campaign-Actions
in 41 European Countries!
60 years after the end of the
Second World War, hundreds of organisations joined once again
the 'International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism' and
arranged a wide variety of activities all over Europe - from
Sweden to Spain, from Great Britain to Russia...
Around November 9, the European anti-fascist and antiracist movement
promoted the "Blow Fascism Away" campaign to raise
historical consciousness and to make the public aware of the
dangers and consequences of prejudices, hatred, ignorance and
intolerance in our contemporary world. Non-governmental organisations
in 41 European countries joined the UNITED campaign 2005!
Coordinated by the international secretariat of UNITED, the participating
organisations arranged torchlight processions, awareness-raising
campaigns, big demonstrations and exhibitions.
They prepared both country-wide activities and cross national
activities to commemorate the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom with the
aim of drawing the attention to today's racial issues, such as
the spreading of fear and violence, and historical revisionism.
UNITED campaigning material was distributed all over Europe to
promote this year's campaign and to give further background information.
The posters were displayed in exhibitions and they were also
used to explain fascism and antisemitism.
Starting in the North, in Norway, torchlight processions were
organised in several major cities of the country. Moving to the
East, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia &
Montenegro and Croatia planned one activity to struggle together
against fascism and antisemitism.
Further in central Europe, lectures, discussions, exhibitions
and pickets were planned all over Germany. In Denmark and Luxembourg,
thousands of activists came together to participate in big demonstrations.
Moreover, many campaigns and discussions with moving and interesting
titles like "It's not just History" and "To Save
a Life - A Story of Holocaust Rescue" were arranged in other
countries.
Their activities are all described in this report, which also
includes visual testimonies of their great efforts!
The UNITED secretariat in Amsterdam coordinated the campaign
by motivating NGOs to join the movement and by providing information
and material.
Blow Fascism Away
 60
years after the Second World War and the defeat of Nazi Germany,
fascism and antisemitism are still alive in Europe - it even
increased significantly in the last years. The denial of the
Holocaust, verbal attacks, incidents of vandalism, physical attacks
and scapegoating is quite common throughout Europe. Nearly every
day, we get to know about attacks against individuals, Jewish
community institutions, Jewish synagogues and Holocaust memorials.
We also hear and about neo-nazi marches in Europe, like the demonstration
taking place in Dresden (D), by which fascists commemorated the
victims of the bombing in the Second World War.
Anyway, such events do not include the commemoration of the deaths
of Jews, Roma, homosexuals and disabled. They are therefore a
shame to Europe's historical memory.Right-wing parties not only
in Germany, but also in Great Britain and Denmark gain more and
more power and popularity. Fascist organisations aim at rehabilitating
racist legislation and National Socialist ideology.We should
blow such tendencies away and stand together to cultivate tolerance
and the value of living together.
The fight against fascism in all its forms is still a path to
be walked by NGO's activists, youngsters and adults together.
The 'Kristallnacht' Pogrom: A
Short History
On November 9th 1938 in Germany, the Nazis started a pogrom against
the Jewish community. Here is a short story of what happened.
After the Nazis came to power in 1933, Jews were victims of a
racial legislation, which limited their life. They were forced
to hand over their businesses to 'Aryans'; they were only allowed
to shop in Jewish-owned shops; their children were only allowed
to go to Jewish schools; and so on...
This was accompanied by a wave of organised violence against
Jews in the streets and elsewhere. Anyway, until November 9th
1938, many of these attacks had the appearance of being unplanned
by the leadership of the Nazi Party and the government of Germany.
On November 6th, a young Jew living in Paris, Herschel Grynszpan,
received a post-card from his father Zindel who had been deported,
along with 18.000 other German Jews on October 27th to the Polish
frontier. The postcard described the terrible conditions that
the deportees were living under. Herschel Grynszpan was so angered
by what he had read that he went to the German Embassy in Paris
and shot the first German official that he saw, Ernst vom Rath,
a diplomatic assistant. Vom Rath died on November 8th and the
news of his death reached Germany the next day. Hitler and Goebbels
were at that moment attending the NSDAP celebration on the occasion
of the 15th anniversary of the Hitler putsch on 9 November 1923.
Goebbels directly took up the chance to hold a rabble-speech
against Jews.
The pogrom started in Berlin on November 9th 1938, organised
unofficially by Hitler's SA storm troops. In a telegram-letter
to all SA and SS-groups, Reinhard Heydrich, one of the leaders
of the SS, clearly ordered the violence to begin. Synagogues
were set on fire. Jewish shops had their windows smashed across
the country. This particular is the origin of the name 'Kristallnacht',
which freely translated means the Night of Broken Glass. Many
Jews were physically attacked too. More than 7000 Jewish businesses
across the country were attacked. Fires were lit in every Jewish
area. Religious books were burned. Around 200 synagogues were
destroyed. The attack lasted 24 hours and 91 Jews were killed.
More than 30.000 were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
Many of them were killed in the following two months.
The 'Kristallnacht' pogrom is usually seen as the symbolic beginning
of the Holocaust. In addition to the approximately 6 million
Jews who were the targets of a complete annihilation policy,
there were an estimated 5,5 million "enemies of the German
state": criminals and "asocials", people with
mental disabilities, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, political
offenders such as communists and socialists, and minorities such
as Roma and Sinti. According to estimates, between 200.000 and
1.500.000 of so-called 'Gypsies' were murdered. From 10.000 to
15.000 homosexuals were also killed in camps.
The word 'Kristallnacht' was given to the event by the Nazis
themselves, because it mocked what had happened. German anti-fascists
today prefer describing the pogrom as "Reichspogromnacht",
although in the majority of countries, the term 'Kristallnacht'
is used, as it is better known.
What Is UNITED?
Linked through UNITED
for Intercultural Action - the European network against nationalism,
racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees - more
than 560 organisations from 49 European countries work together.
The organisations base their common actions and shared activities
on mutual respect and intercultural understanding. They meet
each other on European conferences, exchange information and
good practices leading to campaigning with strong local, national
and European impact.
While activities of the 'International Day Against Fascism and
Antisemitism' were performed independently by the network organisations,
the European Secretariat of UNITED co-ordinated the whole campaign,
provided organisations with common campaign materials and ensured
a good information flow among organisations, the media and decision-makers.
UNITED is an open network inviting everybody to join the European
struggle against fascism and antisemitism. It is independent
from all political parties.
If you want to get involved, discuss the ideas and aims of UNITED
within your organisation. Let us know if your organisation would
like to join or receive further information. Please, add us to
your mailing list!
www.unitedagainstracism.org
COUNTRY
REPORTS
ARMENIA
The "Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia" marked the
"International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism"
with several activities in Yerevan and other regions of Armenia.
To raise awareness in the field of fascism, antisemitism and
racism and to promote tolerance, the organisation distributed
campaign material at different places and arranged activities
like performances in a university, lectures in schools and speeches
about antisemitism and the events of the Holocaust.
Several other organisations joined the "United against fascism"
campaign and many students and pupils participated.
AUSTRIA
March 1938: German troops entered Austria without resistance
and Austria became part of the Third Reich. The country remained
under Nazi rule until the end of the Second World War.
On the "Kristallnacht" in 1938 synagogues burnt all
over Austria, uncountable windows of Jewish houses and shops
were smashed and almost 8000 Jews of the large Jewish population
at this time were arrested during the pogrom. 3700 were sent
to concentration camps.
April 2005, 60 years after the end of the Second World War, a
member of the newly formed party "Alliance for the Future
of Austria", criticized in the "brutal persecution"
of Austrian Nazis after the war. Some days later another member
of the Federal Council of Austria argued that the existence of
gas chambers, which were used during the Nazi Third Reich to
kill millions of people, "remains to be proven". These
right-wing statements are a shame to Europe's collective memory
and a severe danger to the principles and practices of democracy.
This is why it is extremely important to keep the memory of those
events alive and to raise awareness among the public.
To make the public aware of the 'Kristallnacht' events the "Verein
für Dienste im Ausland" joined the UNITED campaign
2005 and arranged manifestations in cities of Austria to highlight
the courage of the Austrian Righteous (Gerechte): non-Jews who
saved Jews from the Nazi genocide during the Holocaust.
Furthermore, students and interested people had the possibility
to get information about UNITED, the "International Day
Against Fascism and Antisemitism" and about the "Verein
für Dienste im Ausland", whose members organised an
info table at the University of Klagenfurt.
Several other organisations commemorated the 'Kristallnacht'
pogrom by arranging distribution of material, lectures and excursions.
The activities were based on interesting and moving themes like
"The third night of St. Walpurgis", a critical prediction
of the Hitler era, "When architecture serves commemoration"
and "How to deal with the experiences of the Holocaust after
1945".
In Wien, the "Koordinierungsausschuss für christlich-jüdische
Zusammenarbeit" organised a whole "Commemoration Week"
with films, discussions and excursions. The"Jüdisches
Institut für Erwachsenenbildung" arranged an excursion
to the former religious centres of Jewish life.
BELARUS
There is a deep concern about
human rights violations committed by the Belarusian government
and its actions against NGOs, independent journalists, national
minorities and opposition politicians.
The new adopted Penal Code, which shows the continuation of totalitarian
policy by the Belarusian government, declared, for example, public
statements and activities on behalf of groups, movements and
associations that are unregistered in the state bodies "illegal".
Public statements, which contain criticism of the president and
organs of authority, can be treated by the court as slander and
entail up to five years of imprisonment.
"President Alexander Lukashenka tightened his grip on power
and maintained an assault on the media, opposition, and human
rights groups. (...) The government continued to interfere with
the work of nongovernmental organizations. In 2005 the authorities
particularly targeted the Union of Poles in Belarus (SPB); with
approximately ten thousand ethnic Poles (out of a total four
hundred thousand in Belarus) estimated to be involved in SPB,
it is the largest NGO in the country. (...) The European Union
and the U.S. continued to sharply criticize the Belarusian authorities
for their authoritarian rule and maintained a travel ban on top
officials imposed in September 2004. On September 29, 2005, the
European Parliament strongly condemned "indiscriminate attacks"
on opponents of the Lukashenka administration, including against
the Union of Poles in Belarus, as well as the government's refusal
to permit members of the parliament to conduct a fact-finding
mission in Belarus in August." (Human Rights Watch 2005)
With regard to the actual political situation in Belarus, only
one organisation participated in the 'International Day Against
Fascism and Antisemitism' this year.
On November 12, the organisation "Red Wedge" arranged
a seminar in Minsk as a direct action against fascism.
BELGIUM
The Belgian party Vlaams Belang
(VB) is one the most powerful extremist parties in Europe. It
was formed in 2004 by members of the Vlaams Blok party, a Flemish
right-wing nationalist political party, which was condemned for
permanent promotion of discrimination and racism. The VB supports
Flemish independence and strict limitation on immigration. On
November 26, there was a big demonstration with 700 people aimed
against neo-liberal policies defended by the VB and political
parties are concerned that the electoral support for the local
elections 2006 for the party is growing. The leader of the VB
hopes to become mayor of Antwerp after the October election.
The result could have an important impact on the future of Belgium.
We will see what the future will bring...
The organisation "Le Monde des Possibles - The World of
Possibles" took the "International Day Against Fascism
and Antisemitism" as a reason to promote intercultural activities
and the better understanding of the situation in the home countries
of immigrants. They arranged a meeting of teenagers and immigrants
in a high school in Liège.
On November 9, UNITED campaign material was distributed by "Liga
voor Mensenrechten".
To commemorate the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom, "Rassemblement
Liégeois pour la Paix", "Theatre de la Place"
and "Theatre de la Renaissance" organised the spectacle
"Saleté", a play about migrants and violence.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Despite some positive tendencies towards combating racism and
intolerance, problems of both direct and indirect discrimination,
as well as segregation are still quite common in all areas of
life and particularly in education, employment, housing and access
to health services and social security.
Once again "Nansen Dialogue Centre Banjaluka " joined
the UNITED campaign the organisation has been participating
since 2001. This year the members contacted the media to promote
their struggle against fascism and antisemitism and they had
success. They made their point clear with a radio interview,
an article in a widespread newspaper and with a television interview,
which was also used to promote their movie day. Interested people
had the chance to watch two movies dealing with violation of
human rights in the Balkan region.
The "Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Republic Srpska
" and the "Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia-Herzegovina"
followed by their youth group participated in a cross-national
activity with other organisations from Croatia, Republic of Macedonia
and Serbia and Montenegro based on the "International Day
Against Fascism and Antisemitism". On November 9 they distributed
UNITED campaign material and material made by a network of many
youth groups as part of a regional project.
CROATIA
Croatia is currently in the process
of becoming a part of the European Union - accession negotiations
started at the end of 2005. Croatia has stable democratic institutions
and "ECRI notes with satisfaction that the President of
Croatia has publicly declared that he sincerely and deeply regrets
'the crimes committed against Jews during the Second World War
on the territory of what was known as the independent state of
Croatia, but was neither independent nor Croatian'." (ECRI
Report 2005)
Nevertheless, the way minorities
are seen and institutionally treated is still problematic. Around
300 000 Serbs fled Croatia during and after the 1990's war and
so far over a third of them have returned. The main practical
problems in terms of their return is housing - many of their
former homes are now inhabited by Croats who fled Bosnia
and there are hardly any jobs for them. One of the political
preconditions set for Croatia's EU bid include the return of
Serbs.
To make the population aware
of the danger of fascism and nationalism, "Homo - Association
for Human Rights Protection and Civic Freedom" organised
two separate events: speeches were held at a mass grave and a
monument in Kucibreg - near to the border between Croatia and
Serbia - and in Pula.
In Kucibreg, people commemorated
120 partisans who were killed by fascists during the Second World
War. The partisans came from Italy, Croatia and Serbia and had
as a common goal the defeat of fascism.
Furthermore, the organisation
started an awareness-raising campaign in Kucibreg and sent messages
to all neighbouring countries to evoke better cross-border cooperation
on antifascist issues.
Under the title "Remove
violent messages from the walls", the participants erased
graffiti with violent contents in Karlovac, an activity arranged
by "Committee for Human Rights Karlovac".
The "Croatian Helsinki
Committee" and its youth group participated in a cross-national
activity with other "Helsinki Committee" organisations
from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Republic of Macedonia and Serbia &
Montenegro, based on the "International Day Against Fascism
and Antisemitism". On November 9, they distributed UNITED
campaign material and material made by a network of many youth
groups as part of a regional project.
CYPRUS
"However, it is regrettable that Cyprus entered the EU as
a divided country. Of course, there is no doubt that trade across
the Green Line, the routine crossing of thousands of Cypriots
every day and the possible opening of new crossing points are
positive signals. The Cypriots have also proven that the two
communities can live peacefully together. But these developments
cannot replace a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
I am aware of the pain that the present situation causes."
(Mr. Olli Rehn, member of the European Commission, in May 2005)
Cyprus became part of the European Union in 2004, but the EU
legislation is suspended in the Northern part of the island (the
"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", which is not
internationally recognised) after a referendum on reunion failed
in the South. The island is still emerging from an unsolved conflict,
which marks every day the existence of youngsters and activists.
The 9th edition of the Rainbow Festival, entitled "United
Against Racism" was organised on November 13 by KISA to
celebrate and provide a colourful civilisation. It was aimed
at highlighting that "the existence of different peoples
and cultures is not a curse but a blessing and a source of human
wealth." (KISA)
Migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, foreign students, NGOs and
Greek and Turkish Cypriots were involved in the festival by putting
up information stands, exhibitions, performances and a bazar.
Participants could enjoy food from various countries and a variety
of refreshments stands. Also, the 85 participants of the UNITED
conference 2005 "Bridging Cultures and Identities",
which was held in Cyprus from 11 to 15 November, joined the event.
CZECHIA
On November 9,
the organisation "Youth and Environment Europe" participated
for the third time in the UNITED campaign. A public event was
arranged in Praha. It included video projection about fascism
and antisemitism, info-material was distributed at the event
venue, a picture exhibition and a cultural program.
The action was also promoted on the radio.
DENMARK
In the summer of 2005, the local
Copenhagen radio station "Radio Holger"
commented that Muslims should either be expelled from Denmark
or killed.
During the 1990's and especially since 1999 the situation for
ethnic minorities, immigrants and refugees in Denmark has become
worse and worse in many aspects. The new legislation makes it
nearly impossible to accept refugees and makes family reunification
as hard. There is an increase in discrimination, marginalisation
and xenophobia in the country.
In February 2005, a general election was held in Denmark: the
Liberal Party regained the largest number of seats in the parliament
and formed a coalition with the Conservative Party. The right
wing Danish People's Party, a party supporting the government,
emerged strengthened after this election. Some of the "values"
of the Danish People's Party are nationalism, xenophobia and
islamophobia, economic wealth, better social security and services
for the elderly population.
During the past five years, there has been very little internal
criticism of the Danish government, since most of the ethnic
minority organisations and NGOs who are fighting for equal rights,
antiracism or the rights of ethnic minorities have lost their
financial support from the government.
In order to spread the message of tolerance, integration and
equality, "SOS mod Racisme" and the other organisations
of the "Krystalnatinitiativet" arranged the big demonstration
"Ja til lige ret! Nej til diskrimination" in Copenhagen
as a strong sign against exclusion and discrimination, 60 years
after the end of the Second World War. It included a torchlight
procession, dancing performances and many speeches. In addition,
the organisation promoted manifestations in other cities.
"Korsløkke Ungdomsskule" in Odense participated
in this year 'Kristallnacht' commemoration by campaigning at
schools and in the city and by organising an antiracist concert,
followed by a public debate with politicians. The participants
stated clearly: "Against Fascism! Against Antisemitism!"
The "Enhedslisten Odense" joined the UNITED campaign
too, and arranged a demonstration.
FINLAND
A Swedish newspaper in Turku published
an article by a member of "Gnosis Amnesforening" about
the importance of a 'Kristallnacht' commemoration, since the
'Kristallnacht' is usually seen as the beginning of the Holocaust,
and accents the relevance of an intercultural dialogue with the
help of the cooperation of NGOs. Many activities were organised
this year in Finland.
"The Left Youth" and some other organisations arranged
the torchlight procession titled "Break the Silence! Join
us". Around hundred people took part in the demonstration,
which focused on the unemployment of immigrants in Finland, a
very important issue, since in some immigrant communities the
unemployment rate is still around 50 percent, while the Finnish
national average of unemployment is around 8 percent. Among the
participants there were also representatives of four different
political parties to point up the importance of a successful
integration of immigrants, and to increase the resources leading
to a more equal treatment in the job market, housing, health
services, etc.
In Vaasa, "Mira International Culture Society" joined
the International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism by organising
an "International Meeting Point" with discussions,
music, dance, intercultural snacks and distribution of information
to establish cultural and social communication between locals
and new-comers. Moreover, the organisation "Libero-lehti"
widely spread information about the campaign throughout the country.
The "Student Union University of Joensuu" gave some
background information about the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom and the
Holocaust by organising an exhibition.
GEORGIA
"The beneficial role that
NGOs can play in society has become more commonly understood
and clear for the Georgian population following the revolutionary
changes in November 2003. The process of establishing the role
of NGOs in society should, however, continue to progress."
(United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
2005)
In 2003, Georgia experienced the 'Rose Revolution', which was
a peaceful revolution that had the former president resign. There
was a move toward democracy and several reforms were launched
by the new government. Nevertheless, the country is still suffering
from many social problems concerning the economic conditions
of part of the population and racism and discrimination.
This is why it is important that NGOs play an active role to
promote integration and intercultural dialogue throughout the
country.
Once again, several organisations participated in this year's
UNITED campaign.
The "Jewish Georgian Info Center" and the "International
Foundation LEA" planned, with the help of two other organisations,
a round table and a meeting, where around 100 persons from different
cultural backgrounds participated.
They talked about the importance to participated in the UNITED
network and to raise awareness especially among the younger generation.
The "International Union ERTOBA" organised a variety
of events from November 1 to November 19, like the seminar "Intercultural
Youth Meeting", which was especially arranged for youngsters,
a workshop, the distribution of UNITED posters in Tbilisi and
the exhibition "The land of rights" with drawings of
children.
Under the title "Youth against fascism and antisemitism:
A voice from Georgia", an awareness raising campaign in
several secondary schools in nine regions of Georgia was arranged
by "The Union '21st Century'".
Moreover, "Georgian Lawyers Without Borders" joined
the "International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism"
with the activity "United Against All Forms of Discrimination",
which included a poster action on the major street of the city
and an exhibition of paintings, as well as a concert in Tbilisi.
GERMANY
2005 was an eventful year for
Germany: Angela Merkel became the first female Chancellor of
Germany after the federal election of September 2005. While in
the regional elections in September 2004 in Saxony, when the
far-right party NPD entered the state parliaments with 9,2 percent
of the vote, the traditional political parties and the media
were worried, the NPD was not a big media issue in the election
of 2005. 60 years after the end of the World War II, many commemorations
took place. The "Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe"
was opened in Berlin to the public in May 2005. In Dresden, the
"Dresdner Frauenkirche", a Lutheran Church which was
destroyed in the firebombings of Dresden during the World War
II, was reconsecrated in October, after 13 years of rebuilding,
as a symbol of hope and reconciliation.
Nevertheless, antisemitism, xenophobia and racism are still a
common problem in Germany: scores of Jewish graves and Holocaust
memorials have been damaged. In February, the NPD organised the
largest neo-Nazi demonstration in Dresden with more than 5000
participants.
After this event, the German parliament approved a ban on neo-Nazi
marches at Holocaust sites and memorials to Third Reich victims.
As a strong sign against antisemitism and racism, many activities
took place throughout Germany on the occasion of the "International
Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism".
During the "15th Thüringer Council Against Racism and
Antisemitism" in Arnstadt, organised by LAG Antifaschismus/Antirassismus
Thüringen, the participants had the chance to join discussions
about different topics unions and right-wing extremism,
causes and backgrounds of historical developments, historical
revisionism and to exchange experiences and opinions. The
workshops were followed by a demonstration with around 150 participants,
mostly young people. Also the "Antirassistische Initiative
Döbeln" joined the 'Kristallnacht' commemoration with
the exhibition "Drawings from Auschwitz", which showed
the illegal culture in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The organiser of the "Action Week Against Antisemitism 2005",
the "Amadeu Antonio Stiftung", arranged not only lectures
and discussions, but also exhibitions, movie-screenings and demonstrations.
This year the main themes were current manifestations of antisemitism
and antisemitic incidents.
In Stuttgart, a series of events were organised by "Anstifter
- Bürgerprojekte gegen das Vergessen" to commemorate
the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom. Under the title "Against Violence
and Total Forgetfulness" lectures at 220 schools with authors
and well-know performers were organised to make the pupils aware
of the danger of antisemitism and fascism, and of the importance
of remembering historical facts. Teenagers in Bremen got together
at the annual commemoration "I want to see you - Night of
Youth 2005" with contemporary witnesses, music, theater,
dance, sport, exhibitions, discussions and lectures.
Many other activities were organised in cities all over Germany
like in Erfurt, Köln, Berlin, Gera, Paderborn and Pirna
and made this year's campaign once again a success.
GREAT BRITAIN
Dale Farm is Britain's largest Roma settlement, consisting of
mobile homes and chalets, as well as caravans. The residents
at Dale Farm bought the land and have developed it with their
own money. This year the council of Basildon has voted to spend
up to five million euro to destroy 90 homes at Dale Farm and
to evict hundreds of men, women and children. Residents of Dale
Farm marked the 'Kristallnacht' commemoration on November 9 by
building barricades to resist the eviction. For this purpose,
they have collected a hundred gas-canisters to block the road
against the expected bulldozers. Meanwhile, members of the British
National Party (BNP) swore to "rid the area" of Roma.
The BNP, an extreme right-wing party, also stated that the London
bombings on three London underground trains in July 2005 would
not have happened, had its warning on immigration been listened
to. Many people are concerned about the electoral support the
party currently gets. To fight against the BNP in its target
wards right up to the May 2006 elections, many community based
organisations started the awareness-raising campaign "Hope
not hate! Stop the BNP" in November.
The "Jewish Socialist Group" commemorated the 'Kristallnacht'
pogrom by organising a public meeting with a discussion on the
current threats to civil liberties and how liberties were taken
in the 1930s. Moreover, "Northamptonshire Racial Equality
Council" arranged a debate about the new 'County Community
Cohesion Strategy'. This is an action that aims to raise greater
knowledge, respect and contact between the various culture and
communities.
HUNGARY
On November 9, "Human Rights Students' Initiative"
organised an awareness raising campaign with posters and an information
stand about the 'International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism'
at the Central European University in Budapest. In the evening,
the organisation arranged a movie screening at the university.
About 60 students watched the movie 'Schindler's List', the true
story of a German businessman named Oskar Schindler, who was
instrumental in saving the lives of more than one thousand Jews
during the Holocaust. The title refers to a list of the names
of Jews whom Schindler hired to work in his factory and kept
them from being sent to concentration camps.
LATVIA
In Latvia, the "Latvian Anti-Fascist
Action" joined this year's 'International Day Against Fascism
and Antisemitism'. The organisation arranged an awareness-raising
campaign on November 9, with UNITED posters and self-made posters
and stickers. They came up with slogans like "People shouldn't
be sorted".
LUXEMBOURG
"No prison for migrants"
- this was the slogan of a demonstration with more than a hundred,
mainly young people at the Place d'Armes in Luxembourg. The organisations
"Infoladen Schréibs", "Jugend fir Fridden
a Gerechtegkeet" and "Life-d'ecocreativ Plattform"
marked the "International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism"
2005 with a protest against the determination of the government
to build up a deportation prison for all kinds of migrants, and
to protest against the contemporary policy on foreigners. The
organisation stated clearly that the imprisonment of migrants
in the whole world is an intolerable act of discrimination and
institutional racism. The activity included an information stand,
food, music, speeches and movie-screenings to make the public
aware of human rights violations in deportation camps.
REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
During the Kosovo war in 1999
many ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo seeked refugee in the
Republic of Macedonia. Right after the war, Albanian radicals
took up arms to fight for autonomy and independence for the Albanian-populated
areas of the Republic of Macedonia. A short war followed, which
ended with the promise of the government to devolve greater political
power and cultural recognition to the Albanian minority.
However, the relations between the Macedonian majority and Albanian
minority remained tense throughout 2004. Discrimination against
national minorities, in particular against ethnic Albanians and
Roma, and police violence continue to be problems in the country.
To mark the "International Day against Fascism and Antisemitism"
and to promote values like solidarity, interethnic relations,
nonviolence and respect towards the rights of all people living
in the country, "Megjashi - First Children's Embassy of
the World " organised the activity "Remove Violent
Messages from the Walls" . 30 pupils from secondary schools
participated. They erased graffiti with violent contents by writing
peaceful messages over them. The action took place at a bridge
and at a high school in Skopje.
The "Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Republic of
Macedonia" and its youth group participated in a cross-national
activity with other organisations from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia
and Montengro and Croatia, based on the "International Day
Against Fascism and Antisemitism". On November 9, they distributed
UNITED campaign material and material made by a network of many
youth groups as part of a regional project.
The "Youth Forum Bitola" organised an awareness-raising
campaign with UNITED posters and several discussions to blow
fascism away. On November 13, "Eco-Razeni" arranged
a seminar especially for youngsters to promote intercultural
communication.
MALTA
Extreme right-wing organisations
took centre stage in Malta during the last year. One of the primary
components of the ideology of "Imperium Europa", a
Maltese far right movement, is decreasing the number of African
immigrants. The movement thinks government has failed by allowing
non-whites to enter the country. The party was founded in 2000
by Norman Lowell, who contested the first European Parliament
elections in June 2004, obtaining an unexpectedly high first-count
votes. Moreover, a fascist group called ANR caused concern by
spreading hatred against immigrants and refugees. Since 2002,
the number of migrants in Malta increased to over 1000 at some
times.
To promote the popularisation of the 'International Day Against
Fascism and Antisemitism', tolerance and social cohesion, the
"Human Rights Working Group of AEGEE" joined together
with the "AEGEE" network the UNITED campaign on November
9 and brought into action an awareness-raising campaign. They
sent a press release and distributed material within the whole
network.
Under the title "Aspects of social tension in a multicultural
Europe", the " Euro-Med Movement" organised an
international seminar for about six days. Participants could
get information about racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, tolerance
and conflicts, and had the possibility to share views and opinions.
NETHERLANDS
One year after the murder of Theo
van Gogh - a Dutch film maker, publicist and actor, who was murdered
in Amsterdam by an Islamic radical - the Dutch Prime Minister
stated at an commemoration for van Gogh: "We must not abandon
each other. Law is the basis, but society requires more: everyone's
effort is necessary to make clear that violence is not the answer
and discrimination will not help the Netherlands move forward."
The November 2004 assassination shocked the country and provoked
fear and burnings of Muslim and Christian buildings in other
cities. It led to a debate about the position of the more than
one million Muslims in the Netherlands. People in the Netherlands
are still afraid of terrorist attacks, as the following example
shows: In November 2005, two men wearing traditional clothes
were arrested on an international train approaching the Amsterdam's
Centraal station. Passengers had called the police after seeing
the men carrying a large backpack and going to the bathroom together.
People in the train were nervous about the way the men behaved
and suspect them of planning a terrorist attack. It was a false
alarm. Anyway, this example shows how tense the situation still
is in the country.
To commemorate the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom and to remember the
fatal fire in the detention centre at Schiphol Airport, "Werkgroep
Vluchtelingen Vrij" organised a torchlight procession through
Groningen. Participants stated clearly "Never again Schiphol".
Eleven detainees died and many others were injured as a consequence
of the fire, which broke out under unclarified circumstances.
In Breda, the "Comité Herdenking Kristallnacht Breda"
arranged a vigil procession passing a church, a synagogue and
a mosque to demonstrate against all forms of discrimination.
Moreover, the organisation offered a lecture about contemporary
antisemitism and a following discussion. About 50 people participated.
A torchlight procession through the city of Hoorn followed by
discussions about the current situation of the Netherlands and
music were organised by "Anti-Fascistische Aktie - West-Friesland".
Also in Groesbeek, Nijmegen, Tilburg and Eindhoven many people
commemorated the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom and raised awareness.
NORWAY
General elections were held in
Norway in September 2005. The Progress Party (FrP), a right-wing
political party which calls for a stricter asylum and immigration
policy, became the largest opposition party with 22,1 percent
of the votes.
Already during the electoral campaign, the Progress Party caused
concern by distributing the brochure "The guilty is of foreign
origin".
It focuses on criminal activities committed by immigrants.
Criticism followed by parties of the government and opposition
as well as NGOs. "It's appalling, but not surprising. It
is expected that the FrP will present a dirty initiative like
this in the election campaign" statement of the leader
of "SOS Rasisme".
Traditionally, demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the
1938 'Kristallnacht' events are organised by "SOS Rasisme"
in various Norwegian cities. Under the title "Never Again
- 'Kristallnacht' Commemoration 2005" around 27 activities
were arranged in Oslo, Haugesund, Trondheim, Grimstad and many
other cities. Once again many people participated in torchlight
processions, antiracist hip-hop concerts, movie screenings and
appeals.
POLAND
"While the Jewish community
is relatively small, ECRI expresses its deep concern about information
according to which antisemitism persists as an important problem
in Polish society. (...) During the last few years, antisemitism
has sporadically manifested itself through physical attacks against
Jews, notably by Skinheads, vandalism against Synagogues or Jewish
schools or desecration of Jewish cemeteries and tombstones.
However, the number of these acts of violence against members
of the Jewish community and their property is very small compared
to other forms of antisemitism such as written and verbal abuses
against Jews." (ECRI Report 2005)
As this extract from the ECRI report demonstrates, antisemitism
in Poland is still a factor of social disease.
Once again Polish NGO's stated clearly "Blow Fascism and
Antisemitism Away" and organised several 'Kristallnacht'
commemorations.
To show the importance of a multicultural dialogue, "Never
Again Association" brought into action a demonstration through
the city of Olszytn on 9 November and about fifty people participated.
Banners, flyers and leaflets were prepared to inform the public.
After the event, which included a stop by a synagogue situated
in the Jewish cemetery and former mortuary, the participants
could enjoy Jewish food and films dedicated to Jewish issues.
Moreover, the organisation arranged various media appearances
in order to encourage elimination of racist websites from Polish
Internet-servers, because the "Polish government does not
react to extreme racist, antisemitic, neo-Nazi and Holocaust-negating
websites that exist on Polish Internet" as one "Never
Again Association" member has stated. Indeed, as a UNITED
activist explains, "Internet is a highly dangerous forum
for popularisation of racism as it can reach many young, naive
people susceptible to xenophobic propaganda."
Under the title "Music against Racism", "Semper
Avanti Association" arranged a big concert in Warszawa with
the help of the local "Anti-Nazi Group" (GAN). Popular
and acclaimed bands took part in the event and also campaign
material was distributed. The "Anti-Nazi Group" arranged
activities in Poznan and Gorlice too.
The seminar "Remember the Past - Make your future"
in Mogilno was especially arranged for volunteers working in
memorial places. The participants had the chance to exchange
personal experiences and they paid special attention to working
with youngsters. The seminar, held by "One World Association",
included a commemoration hour on 9 November at a former Jewish
synagogue. In Szczecin, people from different cultural backgrounds
were brought together by "Generacja NIC" to meet each
other and to exchange opinions and experiences. The title of
this event, "Different and Equal - Rózny i Równy",
gets a special meaning in Polish, because only one letter makes
the difference between these two words.
PORTUGAL
The organisation "Ultras
Against Racism" joined the 'International Day Against Fascism
and Antisemitsm' by spreading around the UNITED campaign posters
and stickers. The material was sent all over the country.
ROMANIA
In November 2004, after more than
a year of research, the international expert commission on the
Holocaust in Romania published its report. It gives incontrovertible
proof that Romania had been directly responsible for the death
of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust, a conclusion that
had been consistently denied by Romanian governments so far.
The report was finally accepted by state authorities and the
government took some steps toward introducing the study of the
Holocaust of the Romanian Jews in schools. "It is absolutely
clear that the government and people in general are much more
willing to deal with this issue of the Holocaust in Romania.
They want to understand it better, and to cooperate on this issue.
But some government agencies are much better equipped and more
willing than others." (Radu Ioanid, author of the book "The
Holocaust in Romania")
Anyway, there are still people, who believe that the Holocaust
in Romania never happened. In March 2005, a university professor
in Sibiu published an article denying the Holocaust.
This is why it is extremely important to raise awareness among
the public in the country and to commemorate the 'Kristallnacht'
pogrom. Many Romanian organisations joined the UNITED campaign
and arranged several activities in different cities.
Under the title "The Holocaust in Europe", "Association
for Oriental and African Studies" held a seminar with students
as well as history teachers in Bacau. Moreover, "Peace Action-
Training & Research Institute Romania" started the awareness-raising
campaign "It's not just history", to call attention
to the danger of today's fascism, antisemitism and racism.
To inform the youngsters about the events, which led to the Holocaust,
to prevent discrimination and to promote mutual understanding,
respect and intercultural relations, "Youth Action for Peace
Oradea" organised the project "Together against antisemitism"
in Oradea. From November 7 to November 9, the organisation arranged
workshops in four local high-schools and 51 youngsters of different
minority groups participated. The aim of the workshops was to
raise their self-awareness and to challenge their point of view
and opinions on racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia. On the
"International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism"
"Youth Action for Peace Oradea", organised with the
help of several institutions and organisations, a presentation
about Jewish history and culture, a cultural program with more
than 200 participants and a torchlight procession through the
city of Oradea, which included a visit to a Synagogue.
"Adolescent Association" and "Initiativa Autonoma
Craiova 2005" produced a special campaign brochure to make
clear that the defeat of Germany in 1945 did not mean the final
defeat of fascism. Furthermore, they arranged an exhibition of
UNITED posters in a University and the distribution of material
in Bucharest and Dolj.
"Our initiative seemed to have hit a wall of indifference
from the public opinion and the general feeling I got was that
people simply didn't care. (...) Which proves one again the absence
of any form of civil society: although people are confronted
with the existence of extreme right every day (...) they still
don't see this as a major problem." (statement of a member
of "Adolescent Association" about the distribution
of material in Bucharest).
On November 9, the organisation "Youth Action for Peace
- Romania" organised several activities, including a discussion
on the topic "How do we cure history's traumas" with
survivors of the Holocaust.
The "Romanian National Council for Refugees" joined
the "International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism"
too, and arranged an information campaign for asylum-seekers,
refugees and students.
RUSSIA
The relation between immigrants
and nationalists in Russia is getting worse and worse. Skinheads
activities have remained on a high level. From January 2005 to
November 2005, Russian police have registered 1488 crimes, in
which the victims were foreigners. The police explains away such
cases and refuse to recognise any racist motivation. According
to estimates there are more than 50,000 skinheads in Russia.
To mark the 'International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism'
and to promote an intercultural dialogue, the "Community
Centre of Jewish Culture Zvi-Girsch " organised a lecture
about the events of the Holocaust and about the culture of remembrance
in Europe. Afterwards, a chess tournament among representatives
of different communities was arranged as a sign of friendship
and mutual understanding.
The "Moscow Bureau for Human Rights" arranged the press
conference "Why did fascism succeed?". A video clip
about a demonstration and manifestation conducted by several
far-right radical organisations, which took place in Moscow in
November 2005, was shown and several speakers talked about themes
like xenophobia, radical literature, danger of fascism and the
radical movement in Russia.
On November 9, the "Civil Chamber of Voronezh - Human Rights
Center" organised an awareness raising campaign in Voronezh
to teach people about human-rights and to prevent the spread
of fascist ideologies among young people.
Several other activities concerning the struggle against antisemitism,
fascism, racism and to promote intercultural cooperation were
arranged. Representatives of national communities met at a round
table in Moscow. A campaign titled "Never again", as
well as a workshop was organised in Chelyabinsk. A special exhibition
for students was organised in Ufa.
Moreover, the "Youth Human Rights Group" joined the
UNITED campaign and arranged the "Demonstration Against
Racism" in Petrozavodsk on November 9.
SERBIA & MONTENEGRO
The 'Kristallnacht' commemoration
2005 in Serbia & Montenegro was shadowed by a physically
and verbal neo-Nazi attack at a university in Novi Sad. On November
9 the organisation "AntiFascist Action Novi Sad" arranged
a public debate about contemporary aspects of fascism in Novi
Sad. During the debate around 20 neo-Nazis entered the room,
blocked the doors and tried to stop the event by shouting and
insulting the participants. One participant was even beaten.
This attack reveals that fascism is still present within Serbia
&Montenegro society. To set a sign against fascism and antisemitism
NGOs all over the country joined the UNITED campaign 2005. "Women
in Black" arranged the event "Let's banish fascism
together" in Belgrade with the help of three partners. It
included a street performance and an antifascist party with music
and jugglers.
The organisation pointed out that the silence about a crime is
itself a crime and that we have to act and to speak out to blow
fascism away.
To provide the guidelines for further discussions about racism,
xenophobia, antisemitism, other forms of intolerance and hate
speech the "Serbian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights"
arranged a round table.
Furthermore, its youth group participated in a cross-national
activity with other organisations from Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina
and Republic of Macedonia, based on the "International Day
Against Fascism and Antisemitism". They distributed UNITED
campaign material and material made by a network of many youth
groups as part of a regional project. Also the youth groups of
"Kosovo Helsinki Monitor" and "Montenegrin Helsinki
Committee" joined this activity.
Together with a network of women's organisations "Anima
- Centre for Peace & Woman Education - Kotor" joined
the "International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism"
by planning a demonstration in the main street of Podgorica and
by distributing campaign material. The participants called special
attention to women's human rights whose violation passes ignored
by the government.
Many other activities in cities all over the country like in
Negotin and Kraljevo were arranged and several other organisations
joined the UNITED campaign as well.
SLOVAKIA
"The assault proves that
despite the huge progress in the attitude of the police towards
racially motivated crimes, extremist neo-Nazism and its followers
are still here and they are ready to attack the life and health
of others, just because of beliefs, image, or colour of skin"
statement of the chairman of the organisation "People
Against Racism".
Based on a rough estimate there are more than 5000 organised
neo-Nazi-skinheads in Slovakia. Racially motivated violence remains
a problem in Slovakia and a new wave of neo-Nazi attacks has
broken out at the end of 2005 in several places in Slovakia.
In October an organised group of neo-Nazis attacked two boys
in Bratislava and in November skinheads attacked several people
with knives, stones and burning trashcans in a pub in Piestany
- four people were injured. On November 4 an organised group
of neo-Nazis attacked a group of friends and killed a 21 year-old
university student in Bratislava.
To act against the tense situation and the danger of extremist
right-wing groups, "People Against Racism" organised
an antifascist march. Thousands of people, including politicians
and well-known people, joined the event and protested against
the murder of the student. Even if there was a great media concern,
the police is still searching for the murderers.
On November 12 the concert "Stop neo-Nazis" with Slovak
and Roma bands was arranged to inform the public and to resist
such intimidation. "People Against Racism" also participated
in this activity.
Furthermore, the organisation arranged, with the help of local
groups, other activities in Bratislava, Poprad and Sala to commemorate
the 'Kristallnacht' pogrom.
SPAIN
Under the title "Racism and
xenophobia awareness for young people", the organisation
"Asociacion Columbares" arranged a training in two
high schools in Murcia. The 75 participants, between 16 and 17
years old, talked about their prejudices against immigrants and
about the necessity of interculturalism.
SWEDEN
"Nazi and neo-Nazi persecution
of homosexuals" - under this title "International Lesbian
& Gay Cultural Network", "Nordic Lesbian &
Gay Cultural Workers" and "Nordic Homo Council "
organised an event as part of the 2005 UNITED campaign in the
Swedish capital Stockholm. The program included homo art from
Auschwitz, discussions and newly translated poetry of Pier Paolo
Pasolini. Pier Paolo Pasolini was a homosexual Italian poet,
film director and writer, who openly included homosexuality as
a topic in his writings and films, in a time when it was highly
controversial and politically and socially dangerous. He was
murdered 30 years ago, a victim of a terrible hate crime.
To commemorate the 'Kristallnacht'
pogrom on November 9 the "Antidiscrimination Bureau - Lund
" arranged a lecture, which was part of an ongoing lecture
and discussion series. The lecture focused on experiences with
discrimination in the workplace, how to deal with it and which
law can protect people from it. 18 people from a variety of backgrounds
participated in the activity.
UKRAINE
When neo-Nazis heard about a planned
antifascist concert in a club in Kiev, they began to terrorise
the owners of the club with the aim of making them cancel the
event. Fortunately, they had no success and the concert took
place with around 200 people on November 19. Antifascist bands
were invited by "Anti-fascist Initiative of Ukraine"
to speak out against fascism, racism and xenophobia. After the
concert, around 50 armed neo-Nazis entered the club and attacked
musicians and antifascist activists. Nine people were seriously
injured and had to be taken to hospital.
Fascists have become stronger in Ukraine in the recent past.
"Numerous anti-Semitic attacks were reported in 2005, but
police have been reluctant to label the incidents as hate crimes."
(Human Rights Watch)
To mark the "International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism"
"Chernihiv Public Committee of Human Rights Protection"
organised a round table on November 9 in Chernihiv. Representatives
of local human rights and minorities NGOs, as well as journalists
and officials of the police discussed about the problem of xenophobia
and racial discrimination in Ukraine.
"The Jewish Foundation of Ukraine" participated in
the UNITED campaign and arranged three events. They gave some
background information about 'Anne Frank' and her life through
the organisation of an exhibition in Summi. Under the title "Contemporary
antisemitism and xenophobia in Ukraine", a round table was
organised in Kiev and the book "Holocaust of Galicia Jewish"
was presented.
ACTIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
In Azerbaijan, a press conference
with experts and NGOs under the title "Fascism, Antisemitism,
Nationalism, Racism and the Inhuman Results" was organised
by "Association of Journalists Veterans Azerbaijan".
The organisation arranged a manifestation against fascism, nationalism
and racism too.
To promote the 'International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism'
in Italy, "Associazione Olokaustos Onlus" in Venezia
and "Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli"
in Roma distributed campaign material in the two cities of Italy.
Moreover, "Associazione Di Volontariato San Martino"
arranged a meeting in Italy under the title "Act Fast".
In Bulgaria, the "Bulgarian Helsinki Committee - Refugee
& Migrant Legal Protection Project" brought into action
the distribution of posters in schools to promote "Blow
fascism away". The organisation "Strategies Magazine
- Publishing House" participated in the UNITED campaign
2005 too.
To mark the 'International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism'
in Turkey, an awareness-raising campaign in Ankara was organised
by "AEGEE Europe - Ankara branch". "Arkadas -
Independent News" started a media activity under the title
"One Tree is Free, many Trees are a Forest". The activity
included a conference and a radio program.
In Moldova, the "Youth Forum 'New Moldova'" organised
a commemoration for the victims of the Holocaust in Chisinau,
Balti, Ungeni and Cahul.
A seminar was arranged by "Helsinki Citizens' Assembly
Moldova".
In France, the organisation "Fédération des
Associations de Solidarité avec les Travailleurs Immigrés"
joined this year's 'International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism'
and translated the UNITED campaign material "Blow Fascism
Away" into French. And on November 16, the "Centre
de Documentation Juive Contemporaine" arranged the "Commemoration
Gala 2005" at the Champs-Elysées Theatre in Paris.
Several other organisations in Switzerland, Uzbekistan, Albania,
Estonia, Iceland and Lithuania joined this year's UNITED campaign.
UP
Order the
printed version (with many pictures and press clippings) of the
report at:
UNITED
for Intercultural Action
European network against nationalism, racism, fascism
and in support of migrants and refugees
Postbus
413, NL-1000 AK Amsterdam, Netherlands
phone +31-20-6834778, fax +31-20-6834582
info@unitedagainstracism.org,
www.unitedagainstracism.org
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