Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Ban on Nazi-symbols?

Dreamer128 · 01-18-2005, 05:48 AM

EU may consider ban on Nazi symbols

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Negotiations on EU legislation against racism and xenophobia are to be re-launched in the wake of the public outcry caused last week by Prince Harry's fancy dress outfit with its swastika armband.

A Luxembourg EU Presidency source said that talks on a law combating racism and xenophobia, which have been stalled since early 2003, are to be revived.

Discussions on the new law began in 2002 but have been on ice since early 2003 due to Italian objections.

Luxembourg's decision to put this issue back on the political agenda follows calls by senior German politicians for a Europe-wide ban on the Nazi symbols.

On Monday (17 January), the European Commission did not rule out the idea.

A spokesperson for justice commissioner Franco Frattini said "it may be worth looking at the possibility of a Europe-wide ban, to explore that possibility at least".

Freedom of speech

However, such a ban would open up freedom of speech issues.

"Banning symbols cannot ban evil and risks playing into the hands of those who would seek to subvert the very liberties we most champion", said Chris Davies, leader of the UK Liberal Democrat members of the European Parliament.

It would also be very difficult for legislators to codify such a ban say EU officials.

They would have to find wording that banned Nazi symbols but did not incriminate those who use them in a satirical manner to lampoon nazis.

Similarly, it would have to be considered which Nazi symbols would be used and whether such a ban would cover symbols from other regimes - such as communism.

The outrage caused by Prince Harry's outfit - it was a German soldier's uniform with a large swastika displayed on an armband - comes just ahead of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the nazi death camp.

The anniversary, on 27 January, is to be attended by several world leaders including Russian President Putin, Israel's President Moshe Katzav, French President Jacques Chirac and Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.

(EUObserver)

01-18-2005, 05:48 AM	#1
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 40 Posts: 6,136	EU may consider ban on Nazi symbols EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Negotiations on EU legislation against racism and xenophobia are to be re-launched in the wake of the public outcry caused last week by Prince Harry's fancy dress outfit with its swastika armband. A Luxembourg EU Presidency source said that talks on a law combating racism and xenophobia, which have been stalled since early 2003, are to be revived. Discussions on the new law began in 2002 but have been on ice since early 2003 due to Italian objections. Luxembourg's decision to put this issue back on the political agenda follows calls by senior German politicians for a Europe-wide ban on the Nazi symbols. On Monday (17 January), the European Commission did not rule out the idea. A spokesperson for justice commissioner Franco Frattini said "it may be worth looking at the possibility of a Europe-wide ban, to explore that possibility at least". Freedom of speech However, such a ban would open up freedom of speech issues. "Banning symbols cannot ban evil and risks playing into the hands of those who would seek to subvert the very liberties we most champion", said Chris Davies, leader of the UK Liberal Democrat members of the European Parliament. It would also be very difficult for legislators to codify such a ban say EU officials. They would have to find wording that banned Nazi symbols but did not incriminate those who use them in a satirical manner to lampoon nazis. Similarly, it would have to be considered which Nazi symbols would be used and whether such a ban would cover symbols from other regimes - such as communism. The outrage caused by Prince Harry's outfit - it was a German soldier's uniform with a large swastika displayed on an armband - comes just ahead of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the nazi death camp. The anniversary, on 27 January, is to be attended by several world leaders including Russian President Putin, Israel's President Moshe Katzav, French President Jacques Chirac and Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski. (EUObserver)