264 signatories from 34 countries have launched a successful call to cancel the invitation of Herbert Kickl to the European Union’s EU High Level Group on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Other Forms of Intolerance. The Austrian Minister of Interior was chosen by the European Commission to work in the EU-Anti-Racism Group, however, the hypocrisy of inviting a racist and Antisemitic politician was stopped by a joined call against his invitation made by a community of anti-racist NGOs consisting of grassroot movement, organisations and initiatives, journalists, politicians and civil society from all over Europe.
This constitutes a success for all open-minded, progressive thinking and democratic people taking action against racism and Antisemitism. The abuse of international institutions to legitimize hatred and bigotry was stopped and it was shown again that a united movement of human rights defenders can stop the spreading of fascist ideas.
We are really happy for the successful campaign of the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement – EGAM and we hope that more fruitful stories against racism will follow soon.
Picture: © Michael Lucan/ WIkimedia-Creative Commons