Kofi Annan right to warn against 'Fortress Europe' and Scapegoating

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 30th Jan 2004

The European Parliament this year awarded its 'Sakharov Prize' for freedom to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and all the staff of the UN, in special memory of Sergio Vieira de Mello and the many other UN officials who have lost their lives in the cause of international peace and justice.

In his acceptance speech, instead of some warm platitudes, Kofi Annan challenged the European Union to adopt a more positive approach to immigration and integration, and not make immigrants scapegoats for the ills of society.

Baroness Sarah Ludford, London MEP and European justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats warmly welcomed his forthright remarks:

"I am encouraged that Kofi Annan lent his authority to the criticism of EU governments for unbalanced and mean immigration and asylum policies that I and other MEPs have been expressing over the last few years."

"The current 'race to the bottom' in restrictions on refugee entry, which is led by the UK government in our name, is dishonourable and wrong. And unless we recognise that Europe needs legal migrants, we will just keep the smuggling gangs in business."

Speaking in the European Parliament this week, Sarah Ludford also criticised as a human rights breach the moves, notably in France, to ban the wearing of the Muslim hijab (headscarf), Jewish kippa, Sikh turban and Christian cross in state buildings.

She added: "I agree with Kofi Annan that integration is a two-way street. The French 'assimilationist' approach based on conformity is misguided. Immigrants must certainly adjust to the norms of their host society, but in Europe those norms include respect for difference and the right to manifest one's religion!"

Notes:

Previous winners of the Sakharov freedom prize include Ibrahim Rugova, now President of Kosovo, and three still held in prison by their governments: Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma, Oswaldo Paya Sardinas of Cuba, and Leyla Zana of Turkey.

Population predictions show the EU will drop from 450 million to 400 million by mid-century, so managed migration has a role in preventing stagnant aging societies.

Sarah Ludford has also asked the following question to the European Commission:

Are EU Member States or service providers in breach of European legal provisions upholding individual liberty, equal treatment irrespective of race or religion or freedom of religious expression contained in

a) The European Union and/or European Community treaties, especially Article 6 TEU and Article 13 TEC

b) Equal Treatment Directive 2000/78/EC,

c) the European Convention of Human Rights, especially Articles 9 and 10

d) the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, especially Articles 10 and 11

if governments impose a ban on students or employees wearing religious or cultural symbols such as the Muslim hijab (headscarf), the Jewish kippa (skullcap), Sikh turban or Christian cross or if service providers people discriminate against people wearing such items?

If the answer to any of the above questions is affirmative, what action does the Commission intend to take to enforce European law?