Xenophobic about EU repression

On its way to the USA

[Reprinted from Issues & Views December 17, 2001]

The Oxford English Dictionary defines "xenophobia" as a "morbid fear of foreigners or foreign countries." If the European Union has its way, Europeans who apparently "suffer" from xenophobia could be arrested and imprisoned. And so could others who hold views considered unconventional on historical events such as the "Holocaust," or who trivialize crimes of the Nazis, or who engage in "public insults" of minority groups (not necessarily insult of a particular individual).

If new proposals drafted by the European Commission in Brussels are passed, one could also face imprisonment for any aversion that might be interpreted as "racist," and for disseminating flyers or tracts whose content may be deemed unacceptable by members of certain groups. The proposed law especially targets "far right" websites. The aim of those who proposed the new law is to establish a common definition of hate and xenophobia to be used by judges throughout Europe. Variations on this law are already in place in several countries.

As to the impact of such a repressive and restrictive code on human rights, England's Telegraph quotes one of the law's supporters, Leonello Gabrici, who insists,"This totally respects free speech." Nigel Farage, a member of England's United Kingdom Independence Party, is also quoted. Says he, "I'm morbidly xenophobic about this new country called the European Union, so if that is covered by this law then I'm most certainly xenophobic, and I could be extradited anywhere. So I'm going to make sure my overnight bag is packed and ready."

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