1.Across Europe we have seen the rise of the far right and fascist forces; in Britain for the first time there are five Reform UK MPs giving a much bigger platform for their racism.
2.Far right parties are gaining increasing votes in elections, campaigning on racist and anti-immigrant platforms.
3.The rise of the far right is the consequence of political decline combined with the social and economic struggles across much of Europe.
4.In the UK the riots and racist, Islamophobic attacks on refugees, asylum seekers and others following the tragic murders in Southport in July 2024, were incited by far-right activists peddling lies and false information.
5.Far right organisations seek to build on the despair, poverty and alienation in our society by scapegoating refugees, asylum seekers, Muslims, Jews and others who do not fit their beliefs.
6.Some young people are drawn towards racist beliefs and in some cases far-right activity, and we need to educate and challenge them, rather than simply excluding them from school, or seeing them consigned to prisons.
7.Whilst it is essential that trade unions campaign for anti-racist policies, we must also be part of a wider movement that demands serious action on the conditions people are facing, including inequality, poverty and inadequate housing.
ETUCE resolves to:
1.Work with affiliates and regional anti-racist organisations to campaign for an end to the scapegoating of refugees and asylum seekers.
2.The ETUCE Committee to look at the rise of the far right across Europe, understand how trade unions are dealing with this in their country and share educational resources and materials to be used with union members.
3.Work with affiliates to develop and share resources and
materials that educators can use with students to challenge racism.
4.To commemorate and symbolise the importance of the fight against the far right, ETUCE advocates for 8 May for example (the date of the end of the Second World War), to remain or become a public holiday. The introduction of this public
holiday will help strengthen our democratic values and promote an inclusive
society. It reminds us that freedom and democracy are not givens, but that they
must be defended at all times. This must be an opportunity to relay again and
again the need to fight against right-wing movement in society.
