Date of release : 28-01-2005

Policy area : Justice and Home Affairs Justice and Home Affairs

Event : Informal Meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers

Replying to a question at the end of an initial working meeting within the framework of the informal meeting of ministers for Justice and Home Affairs on the banning of Nazi symbols in line with the framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia, Luc Frieden, Minister for Justice and President in office of the "Justice, freedom and security" Council, made the following declaration:

"We owe it to the victims of Auschwitz to remain vigilant in the face of the ideologies, which made the death camps possible. We will therefore be discussing at the Council the banning of Nazi symbols as soon as a draft of the framework decision on combating racism that has been amended on this issue in this sense is available. I should be extremely pleased if this discussion were held during the session at the end of February 2005. We need to confront certain phenomena and raise the question as to where the limits of freedom of expression lie. I do believe that all elements of racism, including negationism, need to be part of our discussion. Racism and xenophobia are not compatible with the fundamental values of European integration. The unanimity with which decisions are made at the Council implies that it is necessary to find a balance in terms of freedom of expression. It goes without saying that certain actions must be outlawed."