Cyprus Parliamentarians Yiorgos Loukaides and Christiana Erotokritou, attended on Monday the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and during their interventions they addressed the issue of the contribution of political parties in the eradication of racism and the promotion of multiculturalism and participation.
Loukaides welcomed the revision of the Charter for the Elimination of Racism by European political parties and praised the work of the European Commission against Racism and other Council of Europe mechanisms and tools, such as the No Hate Parliamentary Alliance, which provide legal assistance to member states to better combat racism.
He also expressed concern about the rhetoric which considers refugees and migrants as a burden and a threat to societies. Because of this, he noted, there is an urgent need for all parties to sign the Charter for the elimination of racism. He also said that it was necessary to launch a coordinated effort between PACE and national parliaments through the establishment of an effective monitoring mechanism, in order to safeguard that all parties are committed and implement in practice the basic provisions of the Charter.
In her address Erotokritou noted that political parties can play an important role in combating discrimination, starting with the inclusion of the principles of equality, participation and multiculturalism in the agenda of party youth organizations. She noted that the youth are better able to perceive issues such as freedom, inclusion and openness.
She underlined that diversity within a party can have an important effect, achieving change from within and at the same time ensuring greater opportunities for democratic participation and representation in all social groups.
Source: Cyprus News Agency