Do Christians exist for the EU Commission? "preventing and combating anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hatred in Europe"

Do Christians exist for the EU Commission? "Tolerance and respect: preventing and combating anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hatred in Europe". (EU)


European Commission calls for input to its first Annual Colloquium on fundamental rights in the EU

On 1-2 October 2015, First Vice President for Better Regulation, Interinstitutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Frans Timmermans, in cooperation with EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Věra Jourová, will host the first Annual Colloquium on fundamental rights in the EU.

The Colloquium will aim at improving mutual cooperation and greater political engagement for the promotion and protection of fundamental rights in Europe. It will seek to strengthen dialogue between the EU and international institutions, policy makers, academia and civil society, and deepen the understanding of challenges for fundamental rights on the ground. Another key objective will be the identification of gaps and achieving progress on topical fundamental rights issues.

For this first edition the central theme will be: "Tolerance and respect: preventing and combating anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hatred in Europe".

The Colloquium will be held in Brussels and will bring together a selected number of high level participants from across the EU: national Ministers, representatives of leading NGOs and international institutions, MEPs and renowned academics and philosophers.

The EU has the historic obligation to go back to the very origins of European integration – that is securing a better common future, leaving forever behind the terrible bloodsheds that have marked our history. Living together in a pluralistic society is not possible if its members feel threatened, discriminated and insecure: every citizen, every community* must feel at home in the EU.

Fostering an open, pluralistic and inclusive society, which is based on fundamental rights, is key in this respect. Being able to 'disagree well' and fostering a mutual understanding of the other, and each other's differences, is another indispensable element.

The Colloquium will look at trends and underlying reasons of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents in the EU, and their impact on people's lives and rights. It will explore the most relevant avenues to address these phenomena.

Focus will be put on projects, policies and legislation designed to combat hate crime, hate speech and discrimination. Discussants will look at the role of EU and international institutions, Member States, local authorities, civil society, community leaders, the media, education and the world of employment in developing a culture of inclusive tolerance and respect in the EU. Hmmmm......*Somehow it seems the Christians have no fundamental rights in the EU Commission.