“We have noticed a rise of intolerance in several countries in Europe,” says Olivier Beer, the Strasbourg-based UNHCR Representative to the European Institutions. “This conference will discuss the situation in Europe and not only in Greece.”
The Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks states: “It worries me deeply that the European community and national political leaders appear not to be fully aware of the serious threat that these organisations pose to the rule of law and human rights.”
Eva Smith Asmussen, chair of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, urges governments to “assume their responsibilities” and tackle the increasingly popular parties which rally against migrants, Muslims and other minorities.
“Members of Golden Dawn have systematically carried out acts of violence and hate crimes, at times tolerated by the police, against immigrants, political opponents, ethnic minorities and those who express concern about the situation,” declared the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI).
Limassol’s involvement in the EU-Council of Europe inter-cultural cities network, allows the city to learn from other municipalities with longer histories of diverse populations.
