10 November 2004

The recent trial of strength between MEPs and the European Commission over the nomination of Rocco Buttiglione has focused attention on the European Parliament's treatment of issues of race, gender and discrimination.

Coincidentally, a Parliamentary Intergroup is to be launched today (10 November) on anti-racism and diversity. Its aim is to build alliances to bring more visibility to individual I initiatives and actions on anti-racism, integration and equality issues.

In the last Parliament, the intergroup lacked support from the centre-right European People's party (EPP-ED) and failed to make headway. This time out, it has cross-party support, though it has a strong socialist/Green leaning.

Among the high-profile vice-presidents are MEPs noted as leading voices from immigrant communities, including Belgium's Emine Bozkurt (all three socialist) and the German Cem Ozdemir. Hungary's Livia Jaroka is the one vice-president of the group from the EPP-ED.

The group's first meeting will be devoted to the Roma. Europe's first and only Roma MEP Jaroka, will take the lead in pushing Parliament, the Council, and the Commission on achieving improved rights in education, housing and non-segregation in public health for the Roma.

Claude Moraes, a UK socialist MEP who is President of the group, is anxious that countries do more than pay lip service to their obligation to protect millions of citizens from racism but move beyond the adoption of formal anti-discrimination legislation.

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