House set to pass anti-Nazi resolution

The House is on Friday set to pass a resolution denouncing extremist ideologies, particularly the far-right, and calling for measures to contain their spread.
The resolution, which needs a simple majority to pass, is expected to be endorsed by all the parties except nationalist Elam’s two MPs.
The text of the resolution expresses concern over the rise of the far-right, neo-Nazism and racism in Europe.
It denounces racism, xenophobia, chauvinism and discrimination – based on ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation and disability – as morally and legally reprehensible.
The resolution will also make reference to the persecution of people of the Christian faith by ISIS.
It is an initiative of the Akel party.
Asked why now, Akel MP Giorgos Loucaides told the Cyprus Mail his party felt it was necessary following the rise of the Alternative for Germany party in the recent legislative elections in Germany as well as similar developments in Austria.
On whether Akel believes that racism and far-right extremism are a real issue or danger in Cyprus, the MP gave a stock answer:
“We have a far-right party inside parliament. There were worrying incidents of xenophobia prior to that although, admittedly, they [Elam] have been very careful about their conduct since entering parliament.”
The resolution is bound to cause some controversy in the House, as it also contains a reference to the Golden Dawn party in Greece, said to have links to Elam.
The text calls on the Cyprus government to monitor the progress in the Golden Dawn trial in Greece, and to “take all necessary steps, at the proper time, to determine whether Golden Dawn has committed criminal offences in Cyprus as well.”
In Greece, 70 Golden Dawn lawmakers and party officials are on trial on a wide range of charges, including membership of a criminal organisation linked to the fatal stabbing of an anti-fascist rapper in 2013, and several other charges.
The resolution also calls for the implementation of a ‘national action plan’ to combat racism, xenophobia and hate crime/hate speech.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.