■ Raul Romeva MEP:  “We know what the consequences of remaining silent are.”

STRASBOURG, April 25, 2007  –  The Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights welcomed the news that the European Parliament would debate and adopt a resolution this week on homophobia in Europe following a vote striking down a motion for dismissal from the Union for the Europe of Nations political group.

The news comes in the midst of increasing homophobia in European Member States.  From the Netherlands to Italy, from Belgium to Latvia, in Poland and in Council of Europe states, homophobic remarks and homophobic violence are becoming more and more rampant.

A signal from the European Parliament that it will not accept the proliferation of such statements silently would highlight that Europe does not intend to allow such actions to become a part of ordinary citizens’ daily life.

“The resolution is an important initiative by the European Parliament, that highlights our determination to strive for equal rights for all,” said Michael Cashman (UK/PSE), president of the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights.

“Our Union was built upon the ashes of the 2nd World War,” he pointed out.

“We, in the European Parliament, cannot help but see the parallels between the spread of homophobia and the spread of anti-Semitism that lead to the human tragedy.

“We must always remember that it is to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again that we have built this Union,” he insisted.

Sophie in`t Veld (Netherlands/ALDE), whose own Member State was rocked by the news recently that a gay man was beaten to death because of his appearance highlighted the importance of the signals made by politicians and religious leaders.

“It is the homophobic statements by leading politicians that create the climate in which hatred and violence thrive,” she said.

“Hate speech encourages the thug on the street. It is our role as Members of European Parliament to speak out and foster a culture of tolerance and diversity.”

Spanish MEP Raul Romeva (Verts/Greens) insisted that MEPs cannot remain silent.

“We know what the consequences of remaining silent are,” he said.

“If we hesitate, if we fail to speak up, if we fail to join our voices with those who are oppressed, and then we are just as responsible as those who propagate hate and intolerance.

“The first step towards equality is having the willingness to act when others are being wrongfully named as scapegoats,” Mr. Romeva said

Alexander Stubb (Finland/EPP-ED) echoed the statements by his fellow officers.

“I call upon my colleagues from all political parties to vote on a strong resolution that unequivocally condemns the spread of homophobia.

“We cannot be apologetic in the face of those who wish to proclaim hatred and intolerance as acceptable national values.  As the Treaties of the European Union highlight, it is hatred and intolerance that this Union exists to combat.  What this Union stands for is a Union where each individual is free to live in peace and dignity.”

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Posted: 25 April 2007 at 19:30 (UK time)