EU Parliament passes resolution to end racism

By Yusuf Hatip

BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution calling on the European Union and member states to develop anti-racism policies for people of African descent.

The resolution was passed with 535 votes in favor, 80 against and 44 abstentions.

The Parliament urged EU and national authorities to develop policies with a holistic approach to education, housing, health, criminal justice, political participation and migration.

The resolution encourages EU states and institutions to amend past injustices and crimes against humanity under the name of European colonialism.

Speaking about increasing afrophobic attacks, the MEPs called on the European Commission and EU member states to acknowledge the racist, discriminatory and xenophobic suffering of Afro-Europeans.

The resolution also emphasized on the mistreatment of people of African descent in police custody pointing out the use of racial and ethnic profiling in criminal law enforcement, counter terrorism measures and immigration control.

MEPs suggested that member states should publicly apologize and return stolen artifacts to their countries of origin.

The parliament also called on EU countries to declassify their colonial archives and present a broad perspective on colonialism and slavery in its educational program.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit from Ankara