COMMENT - BANNING THE SWASTIKA

The swastika has become a political symbol of violence, hatred and intimidation throughout Europe and in some other parts of the world. This is why it used as the graffiti most often used to desecrate Jewish graves and synagogues. It is banned in Austria and Germany except for educational and a few other uses.

There is now a move to ban its use across the EU but I believe this is an issue best left to member states.

Banning the symbol does not defeat the politics of hatred, which we can still see in too many countries, even where there is a ban in place. We need to tackle the politics by challenging the lies and assumptions behind the politics of supremacy. We need to educate people, not just those at school, as to what the Nazi use of the swastika meant and why it is not an item of fancy dress to be lightly worn.

I support the moves by the Luxembourg Presidency to return to the stalled Directive on Racism and Xenophobia which looks at penalties for incitement to hatred. I want to see money restored to the budget to allow cross-border initiatives on education about the holocaust. I have also signed the Written Declaration in the European Parliament on the Peaceful use of the Swastika. This reminds us that this has been a symbol of peace for thousands of years, before its corruption by Hitler and the National Socialists. It is a symbol of real significance for Hindus, and followers of Buddhism and the Jain tradition. In the UK, a ban on the swastika would not be an act of anti-racism and of respect for diversity, crucial values in the fight against politically inspired hatred.

Jean Lambert

23.2.2005