Fight against anti-Semitism and fascism as relevant as ever

3.20.00pm GMT Fri 7th Nov 2008

Sunday 9th November marks International Day against anti-Semitism and fascism. Liberal Democrat MEP for London Sarah Ludford is at Richmond synagogue on Saturday Nov 8th for the Remembrance Day service and will next week in Brussels join leaders from faith communities at an event to commemorate 'Kristallnacht'.

Sarah Ludford is the Liberal Democrats' European justice & human rights spokeswoman and is a firm supporter of the rights of the Jewish community and other minorities including Afro-Caribbean, Muslims and Roma as part of her equality and anti-discrimination record.

Sarah Ludford said:

"While remembering past persecution and atrocities, we need to focus too on present dangers. Anti-semitism, racism and discrimination are still all too prevalent, and the shocking success in some European countries of far right xenophobic parties that blame all of society's ills on 'immigrants' reminds us that the challenge of countering hatred is a constant one. "

"Europe must maintain vigilance. Lessons from the past about the appalling treatment of Jews must guide how we treat should protect minority groups threatened with harassment and persecution today."

"Whilst the EU is not perfect, its principles and laws have gone a long way in ensuring that member states have to make improvements on issues of human rights, racism and civil liberties. But it needs hold to account leaders like Silvio Berlusconi, who thinks it is funny to call Barack Obama 'tanned' and is fingerprinting Roma children in an echo of fascism."