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Appeal for an election campaign free from discrimination and intolerance

The 2014 European Parliament election is taking place in a context marked by the crisis and by the rise of extremist parties in many Member States of the European Union. Exclusion and intolerance create a real threat against the human rights of many European citizens, in particular against members of ethnic, religious and sexual minorities.

Joining an initiative of the European region of the International Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA-Europe) and the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), the undersigned political parties endorse the present Appeal to combat this threat.

Declaration of commitment by political parties

In the context of the election campaign, we, the undersigned political parties, commit:

1. To send a consistent and clear message to European citizens/residents that our political parties refuse to publish, display or endorse any campaign materials or statements that would incite discrimination, prejudice or hatred on grounds of ‘race’, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin or community membership, legal status, religious affiliation or beliefs, gender, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or other ascribed identities of difference. This commitment applies to the undersigned European parties and their European Commission presidential candidates, as well as to the undersigned national parties.
2. To use inclusive language in order to avoid creating prejudice, stigmatisation or confusion in relation to the identities referred to in point 1.
3. To guarantee that when engaging in debates in relation to all groups who fall prey as potential targets of intolerance and discrimination, including asylum seekers, refugees, undocumented and migrant workers and their families, Roma, Travellers, people of African descent, and Muslim, Jew, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) communities, our contribution to such debates is conducted in a responsible way and with respect to the dignity and rights of the members of these communities.
4. To refuse to publish, display or endorse any campaign materials or statements instigating mutual incomprehension or hostility between different communities, including between different minority communities.
5. To ensure, should party members and candidates breach this Appeal, that such situation would be addressed adequately in compliance with internal procedures.
6. To inform our political campaigners about the intent and contents of this Appeal.

All undersigned political parties subscribe to these commitments. They undertake to publicize and promote the Appeal among their member parties and/or respective candidates. They also vow to value and uphold these commitments beyond the European Parliament elections by establishing specific cross parliament groups’ initiatives, supporting intergroups, to defend the values of the European Union in the subsequent five years term.

European political parties that have endorsed the Appeal include:

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Although the European People’s Party did not sign the Appeal, they expressed their support for ENAR’s and ILGA-Europe’s demand to see an election campaign without materials or statements that could incite racism, homophobia, transphobia and all forms of discrimination and intolerance.

National political parties that have endorsed the Appeal include

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