Lord Janner of Braunstone asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consult colleagues in the European Union concerning anti-Semitism in Europe.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): My Lords, the Government deplore and condemn anti-Semitism in all its manifestations. We also deplore and condemn all other forms of racial and religious intolerance. The EU and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe are active in the fight against intolerance, and both we and our colleagues in the Home Office work closely with our European counterparts towards its elimination. As my noble friend will know, we were active participants in the OSCE conference on anti-Semitism and on other forms of intolerance, held in Cordoba in June.
Lord Janner of Braunstone: My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Does he recognise the serious, alarming and dangerous growth of anti-Semitism in most European countries over the past five years? Will Her Majesty's Government now press the OSCE formally and urgently to adopt the EUMC working definition of anti-Semitism and will the UK set an example by endorsing that document without delay?
Lord Triesman: My Lords, I agree that there has been growing evidence of anti-Semitic incidents, including violence against people, synagogues, graveyards and many other targets, but I do not think that it is a matter of others adopting a particular definition. We believe that the monitoring centre has produced a useful list of behaviours and a practical guide to identifying the kinds of incidents for collecting data and for making sure that implementation of legislation works well. In our criminal justice system, in which we have strong and effective laws against racial discrimination and racially aggravated crimes, we have chosen a broader definition. Racial hatred is hatred against a group of persons identified by reference to colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins. That broad compass demonstrates our abhorrence, together with all others, of these crimes, whether the victims are Jewish or from any other community.
Lord Dykes: My Lords, do not the dreadful scourge of anti-Semitism anywhere in the world and the mad rantings of President Ahmadinejad about Israel, naturally and understandably underscore Israel's preoccupation with
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security as one of its leading objectives? Equally, should not the British Government refuse to be deflected in any way from the need, particularly in the remaining days of their EU presidency, to ensure that the Sharon caretaker government now proceed with all speed to stop their illegal and inhumane treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and to provide a real start to the peace talks under the road map that were promised at Sharm el-Sheikh?
Lord Triesman: My Lords, I should imagine that everyone in the House will find the comments by the new Iranian president, now on at least two occasions, to be absolutely abhorrent. We have obligations, expressed in this House, to make sure that the peace process is driven forward.
Perhaps I may make a more general point. Some people use criticism of Israel as a cover for anti-Semitism, as some people use criticism of African countries as a cover for other kinds of racism. That fact should make us pause, but it should not lead to anyone believing that it is improper to have a rigorous analysis of what happens in Israel. We should be prepared, on the basis of friendship, to be critical when that is necessary.
The Lord Bishop of Southwell: My Lords, does the Minister agree that a freshly articulated definition of anti-Semitism, such as that of the EUMC, would perhaps be a useful guide for society as a whole, especially for relevant authorities such as the police and the Crown Prosecution Service?
Lord Triesman: My Lords, I agree with the right reverend Prelate. The extended definition that is provided should help a number of organisations, including the police, to gather and analyse information and ensure that we are able to distinguish some of the specificities that occur in racism as well as the generality of the crime. I welcome the definition for that reason.
Lord Howell of Guildford: My Lords, anti-Semitism is, of course, disgusting and is to be deplored wherever it occurs. The EU monitoring committee in Vienna in its annual report says that only two member countries are actually reporting anti-Semitic incidents thoroughly. Are we, as I hope we are, one of the two? Is another seminar planned at EU level? There was one last year and there was talk of a second, but it seems to have been delayed. Can the Minister bring us up to date on that?
Lord Triesman: My Lords, I am not certain of the stage that planning has reached but I believe that it is hoped to hold a second seminar. We are trying to ensure that all hate crimes concerning racism and hostility towards people because of their religion are prosecuted under one rubric, but we want enough information on different kinds of hate crime so that it is possible to take appropriate action. I shall put the point in more general terms. It is very important that Islamophobia is dealt with properly and fully by the law, but if it is swept up without any consideration for its specifics, we shall not approach the subject as thoroughly as we should.
Lord Tebbit: My Lords, the Minister did not answer my noble friend's question. Are we one of the two countries, or not?
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Lord Triesman: My Lords, I am pretty confident, in view of the way in which the police keep records of what material should be prosecuted and the way in which the DPP consider it, that specific information is recorded. We do not differentiate one kind of hate crime from another when collecting statistics. I am sorry if I did not answer the question fully before.
Lord Dholakia: My Lords, we have tough laws in this country to deal with racial and religious discrimination. Does the Minister accept that the EUMC definition document will be helpful to our police and the CPS to pursue cases more vigorously in this country and, more importantly, that it will help to set common standards throughout Europe?
Lord Triesman: My Lords, I have made the point that we have rigorous legislation. Further differentiation in pursuing hate crimes will not necessarily help. I draw the attention of noble Lords to the 532 anti-Semitic incidents recorded in 2004—the highest level since records began in 1984—but there were 50,000 reported incidents of hate crime. When we view the matter in perspective, each of the different bits is important. Understanding the totality of our problem is very important too.
Baroness Tonge: My Lords, I too abhor anti-Semitism and the persecution of any people on the basis of gender, race, colour or creed. In his earlier remarks I believe the Minister was hinting that there could be a connection between the actions of the Israeli Government and the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe. Does he think that it is now extremely urgent that he talks to his European counterparts and takes some action to make the Israeli Government comply with international law?
Lord Triesman: My Lords, I do not believe that for a second. I regret that the question was asked in those terms. Anti-Semitism has been a scourge in Europe, irrespective of the existence of Israel or any Israeli activity, across the whole of recorded history. It is high time that we recognise it for the evil that it is, just as we would with Islamophobia or other crimes of this kind.
Lord Beaumont of Whitley asked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress they are making to ensure that all householders are aware of their new duties under the Waste (Household Waste Duty of Care) (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/2900).
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): My Lords, we have worked with the Local Government Association and the Environment Agency to raise awareness of these regulations. A press
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release was issued on 18 October publicising fly-tipping data and confirming the intention to lay the regulations. A second press release was issued on 14 November. The Local Government Association sent an alert to all local authority chief executives on 27 October. If local authorities choose to use this new enforcement tool, they are also likely to carry out local publicity campaigns.
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