On the sidelines of the second part of the 2023 session of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), which is being held in Strasbourg, MP George Loucaides participated yesterday in a meeting of the Assembly's Political Affairs and Democracy Committee.
Intervening in a debate on the challenge posed by far-right ideology to human rights and democracy in Europe, Mr Loukaides said that it is legitimate and necessary in a democratic constitution for all views and voices to be expressed. However, he pointed out that the hate speech, racism and fascism of the far-right movements in Europe are not just another voice for democracy, but a voice against democracy, and the answer must be given in political terms. In the face of hatred and racism, he stressed, solidarity and fraternity must prevail, both within and between countries. He also stressed the importance of raising public awareness, but above all of combating the causes that fuel the far right, which, he said, are none other than complex and growing socio-economic inequalities, poverty and deprivation.
Moreover, in his intervention on the Commission's forthcoming report on foreign interference as a threat to democratic security in Europe, Loucaides condemned any form of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of another state. He pointed out that any possible regulation of this issue should not discriminate between democratic and non-democratic states, but on the contrary, these illegal practices, which undermine the principles and values of the Council of Europe, should be treated in the same way wherever they come from. Countries that have invaded, organised coups or supported dictatorial regimes should not be excluded from the scope of the ban on foreign interference because they are considered democratic. By the same token, he added, countries that are still illegally monitoring senior officials of other European states should not be excluded, as documented by Wikileaks and, more recently, Pentagonleaks.
Finally, the Cypriot MEP expressed his concern that, if the report under discussion remains as it is, it will probably be used as another political tool for the further militarisation of the European continent.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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