Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Anti-Islam rant sees far-right fly high across Europe
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Photos
Full Coverage
Sitemap
Anti-Islam rant sees far-right fly high across Europe
AFP - Wednesday, September 22
Send
IM Story
Print
Anti-Islam rant sees far-right fly high across Europe
BRUSSELS (AFP) - – An Internet game targeting minarets and mosques, women in burqas in hot pursuit of an elderly white pensioner; across Europe far-right parties are flying high thanks to anti-immigrant, anti-Islam rants.
The burqa-versus-pensioner TV ad devised by the far-right Sweden Democrats, who scored a maiden entry into parliament this weekend, in the end was modified by law-enforcers, and Austria's website shootout at Islam was shut down by the authorities.
Yet Sweden and Austria are on a lengthening list of nations where far-right politicians are notching up impressive gains thanks to spin-off from 9/11, and fallout from the global economic crisis.
"Politics is becoming nationalistic and nativist in many parts of Europe," said cult economist Nouriel Roubini, "reflected in an anti-immigrant backlash, raids against the Roma, Islamophobia, and the rise of extreme rightwing parties."
Far-right parties currently are in government in Italy and sit in the parliaments of Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Slovakia, Sweden and The Netherlands.
In France, where the far-right regularly grabs 10 percent of the vote, a ban was slapped last week on wearing a burqa in public -- a move submitted to Italy's parliament a couple of days later.
In liberal Netherlands, where the anti-Islam Freedom Party came in third in June elections, leader Geert Wilders hopes to secure a place in a minority government though he stands trial next month for inciting hatred of Muslims.
Pollsters currently reckon the group to be potentially the nation's biggest -- able to snatch over 30 of 150 parliament seats if elections were held today.
"After 9/11, and specially after the economic crisis, there's been a change of attitude in industrialised countries," Melita Sungic, of the UN refugee agency, told AFP.
"Human rights are perceived as a security question, not that people need EU protection, but EU people need to be protected from them."
But the paradox lies in the numbers.
In some of the most virulent anti-immigrant states, the proportion of foreigners is tiny. In Finland, where the far-right True Finns swelled from one percent a decade ago to 10.7 percent earlier this year, only 2.7 percent are foreigners. In Sweden on the other hand 14.3 percent of the population was born abroad.
And despite the groundswell of foreigner-phobia, the actual numbers of illegal migrants slipping into border-free Europe is on the decline.
The EU agency that manages the 27-nation bloc's external borders, Frontex, said irregular migration fell 36 percent in the first three months of 2010 compared with the last quarter 2009, and 39 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.
Boatloads of migrants from Africa and Asia -- images that move some and upset others -- likewise are no longer getting through in mass. Some 3,300 people landed illegally on European shores the first three months this year, compared to 33,000 in the first quarter of 2008, Frontex said.
"Politicians are using numbers to give a distorted vision of reality," said Sergio Carrera of the Centre for European Policy Studies think tank. "They say Europe is being invaded, but if you look at statistics, that's just not so."
"No one is giving a clear picture of what's really happening," he added.
And French President Nicolas Sarkozy's controversial crackdown on Roma Gypsies, he added, concerned a few thousand people in a country of 63 million.
"What's the problem when a welfare system such as France's cannot provide an answer for people living in poor settlements?" Carrera said.
"Because of the crisis and dearth of jobs," said researcher Shada Islam at the European Policy Centre, "politicians are playing on emotions to win votes, looking for scapegoats."
Analysts say that in the wake of the crisis, some European governments are playing up far-right policies to serve national political interests.
"It's the European version of the Tea Party movement, a very reactionary response to the crisis," said Fabrice Pothier, director of the Carnegie Europe think tank, referring to a US ultra-conservative faction.
The expectation was that the crisis would see the public demand more social welfare policies, triggering a left-wing comeback, he said. "Instead public opinion is concentrating on domestic issues, creating an environment for rightwing parties."
In Spain and Belgium, frustration and discontent were expressed through separatist movements, in Britain through the explosive language of the tabloids, he opined.
But the connection between local domestic issues and foreign policy is becoming a real problem for Europe, Pothier said.
"Europe is trying to redefine its role in the world ... but is lost in its own divisions and contradictions."
"We lecture people overseas, we talk of democratic values, human rights, but we have policies that undermine these values. We have to look at ourselves before we start lecturing the world."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
News Search
Top Stories
Senate blocks move to lift ban on gays in US military
US Fed 'prepared' to act if recovery stalls
Ireland, Greece, Spain pass crucial bond auctions
Atom smasher scientists spot potential new discovery: CERN
Anti-Islam rant sees far-right fly high across Europe
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
US exits longest recession since World War II
Australia warns of C.Games terror attack 'risk'
Canadian space agency beams northern lights over Web
Pakistan make 265-7 against England in cricket ODI
BP's broken well in Gulf of Mexico is 'dead'
More Most Viewed »
Climate: New study slashes estimate of icecap loss
US pastor puts Koran-burning on hold
'Time bomb' superbug requires global response: doctor
Japanese rider Tomizawa dies in San Marino Moto2 GP
Vitamin B 'could delay Alzheimer's onset'
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 22 September 2010 Iran leader warns US of war with 'no limits'
Ireland, Greece, Spain pass crucial bond auctions
US-TECH Summary
NATO chopper crash makes 2010 deadliest year of Afghan war
US Fed 'prepared' to act if recovery stalls
Twitter fixes flaw after cyber attack
Bridge collapse adds to India's Commonwealth Games woe
|
Italian prosecutors probe Vatican bank for money laundering
Nine US soldiers killed in Afghan helicopter crash: official
Celebrity Twitter auction raises money for Haiti
Anti-Islam rant sees far-right fly high across Europe
Atom smasher scientists spot potential new discovery: CERN
Chile hopes for earlier rescue of trapped miners
|
Israel, Hamas probes on Gaza violations 'inadequate'
New online Google tool shows where services blocked
US home construction jumps
Afghanistan says over 3,000 complaints about vote
Iraq Shi'ite-led blocs set deadline to nominate PM
|
Hungarian media law like in 'totalitarian regime': OSCE
Israel warns on being singled out at U.N. atom body
Special report: Who can beat Hugo Chavez?
|
UAE remains set to ban BlackBerry services: report
West presses Iran to join broad nuclear talks
Facebook puts brakes on fast-spreading 'clickjacking' ruse
Afghan reporter is detained by NATO-Afghan force
Nokia rejects rumours of new mobile phone delay
9 NATO troops killed in Afghan helicopter crash
Online gaming firm Betfair announces flotation
Twitter under attack as hackers exploit security flaw
Kuwait and Russia agree on nuclear cooperation
Nokia rejects rumours of new mobile phone delay
Indian MPs heckled on Kashmir fact-finding mission
Amid gloom, Detroit glistens as Hollywood locale
Philippine judge drops cases to work on massacre trial
German scientists discover rare ape species in Asia
Hijack survivor lashes out at Manila inquiry: report
AT&T says half a million iPads use its network
|
Study Says "Thinking of Nothing" Hard; Drains Much Energy
$1 Million Fund To Fight Malnutrition In Africa
With Murkowski As Write-In Candidate, GOP Removes Senator From Committee Post
Lynyrd Skynyrd Muse Dies, 77
$11.7 Million Contract Aims To Combat Obesity, Tobacco Use
Political Picasso goes on exhibition at Vienna museum
Father Apologizes For School Bus Tirade
Boeings Unmanned Solar Spy Plane In The Cards
Milan fashion moves downtown
ABCs Desperate Housewives Sixth Season Available On DVD
Bollywood films postponed by religious court case
Police Charge 8 Bell City Officials In Theft Of Public Funds
Twitter Fixes Security Glitch
After risky campaign, "Town" courts Oscar voters
China says US yuan pressure 'unwise, short-sighted'
Indonesia hunts terror suspects after deadly raids
Japanese authorities detain Paris Hilton at airport
|
Amid gloom, Detroit glistens as Hollywood locale
|
Soul Train's greatest hits finally out on DVD
|
Vatican Bank Officials Under Probe For Illegal Money Transfers
Police Charge 8 Bell City Officials In Theft Of Public Funds
Quartet keeps pressure on Israel over settlements
Italian bank chief resigns over Libyan money row
China's Wen threatens to step up Japan row
|
BlackBerry tablet computer poised for debut: WSJ
Iran leader warns US of war with 'no limits'
Athletes quit Commonwealth Games as criticism mounts
|
Al-Qaeda claims French kidnappings in Sahara
US debate continues on salmon 'Frankenfood'
U.N. chief to launch women and children health drive
|
Iraq Shi'ite-led blocs set deadline to nominate PM
Over 500,000 iPads on AT&T network: CEO
Summers latest member of Obama economic team to quit
Clinton says Sudan vote can open door to U.S. ties
|
Italian prosecutors probe Vatican bank for money laundering
Cyber bully victims hit with depression: survey
Nvidia says new chip coming next year
Senate blocks move to lift ban on gays in US military
Afghanistan helicopter crash kills 9 NATO troops
AT&T says half a million iPads use its network
Slow Afghan progress doesn't alter exit plan: Holbrooke
|
Zune to go international with Windows Phone 7
Quartet keeps pressure on Israel over settlements
|
Pakistan pleads for US intervention on Kashmir
Drug case delays Paris Hilton from entering Japan
David within one win of the record
Study finds iPhone owners want to switch to Verizon
|
RIM may launch tablet device next week: report
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
U.S. Senate blocks debate on ending military gay ban
Is "Boardwalk Empire" HBO's next 'Sopranos'?
"Baywatch" star Hasselhoff first 'Dancing' victim
Jodie Foster: I won't "abandon" Mel Gibson
Japan's Sharp to buy US solar power firm
Palestinians See Next Week As Decisive For Truce Talks
Nvidia says new chip coming next year
|
RPT-PAKISTAN
Top Western Military In Afghanistan Say No Withdrawal By July 2011
Judge rules "Disturbia" did not copy "Rear Window"
EU Contributes $1.3 Billion Towards Millennium Development Goals
German schools use dogs to boost pupils' grades
Disney Underground Artwork To Be Featured In Gallery In Utah
Japan bank governor defends currency intervention
Scientists Count 1,450 Animal, Plant Fossils Found At California Canyon
"Social Network" a mesmerizing, must-see movie
Vitamin D Shown To Reduce Risk In Endometrial Cancer
New Zealand employee confidence falls in Q3
Consumers Warn Against "Hidden Hazards" of Genetically-Engineered Salmon
NZ Q2 current account deficit widens
Demi Moore suing Australian magazine over photos
World's Oldest Man Celebrates His 114th Birthday
Senate Delays Vote on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Military Policy on Gays
US official wants 'distracted driving' label on cell phones
Russia, China to invest 5.0 billion dollars in refinery: aide
South Korea's Hyundai launches Saint Petersburg plant
Japan delays Paris Hilton's entry after drug case
EU to press China on rights at summit: trade chief
China pact lures foreign investors to Taiwan
Baywatch star Hasselhoff first 'Dancing' victim
|
Social Network a mesmerizing, must-see movie
|
Japanese authorities detain Paris Hilton at airport
|
Wyclef Jean drops presidential bid in Haiti
|
Is Boardwalk Empire HBO's next 'Sopranos'?
|
Jodie Foster: I won't abandon Mel Gibson
|
Judge rules Disturbia did not copy Rear Window
|
Amid gloom, Detroit glistens as Hollywood locale
|
World powers seek 'negotiated solution' with Iran
Bomb kills 11 at Iran military parade
JetBlue, ViaSat in air cabin broadband deal: report
Blast in Iranian city kills 12, injures dozens
|
French police chief warns terror threat serious
Europe finally adopts landmark finance curbs
Siemens to book huge charge on healthcare unit
Big powers seek early nuclear talks with Iran
|
Europe adopts landmark finance curbs
Blast in Iranian city kills 12, injures dozens
Twitter apologizes after hackers exploit security flaw
Venezuela parliament vote to test Chavez
|
Gold hits new record above $1,290
NATO, Russia seek new trust at New York talks
Big powers tell Iran door is open to talks
South Carolina School Reopens After Shooting
Atlanta Megachurch Pastor Denies Allegations In Gay Sex Lawsuit
Two Iraqis jailed for UN bombing, French kidnap
"The Buried Life" Premieres September 27; Premiere Party On September 22
Islamic states push U.N. to condemn Koran burning
|
Afghanistan tackling almost 4,000 poll complaints
Assailant Accidentally Run Over By Man He Was Attacking
Jerusalem flare-up after Israeli kills Palestinian
Flood refugees threaten Pakistan's political stability
|
Nevada Governor Hurt After Fall From Horse
South Carolina School Opens With Metal Detectors After Shooting
Afghan watchdog says over 2,000 polling complaints
Holocaust denier Irving's Polish trip upsets Jews
|
"Dancing With The Stars" Eliminates The Hoff
NATO soldier killed in Afghan bombing
Babysitter, 11, Charged With Murder Of Toddler
Jerusalem flare-up after Israeli kills Palestinian
|
"Skin Trade," A Fur Trade Documentary, Is Out On DVD
KISS Teams Up With Booyahs Smash Hit Social App Nightclub City For Concert Stream
Clinton: NATO, Russia must cooperate on missile defense
|
India battles deepening C'wealth Games crisis
China's Wen threatens new action in Japan boat row
Typhoon Fanapi kills 18 as it sweeps south China
White House tries to give healthcare a human face
Japanese prosecutor arrested for evidence tampering
More than 3 million affected by Indian floods
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end lower; rupee eases
Flood refugees threaten Pakistan political stability
Manila delays Garuda's share sales until January 2011
Nine Chinese launch new Sydney immigration protest
Indonesians vent anger over maid abuse in Malaysia
Asia struggles to cope as storms spread destruction
Insurer AIG 'nears sale' of two Japanese units
JetBlue, ViaSat in air cabin broadband deal: report
|
Australian 17-year-old takes blame for Twitter chaos
Vodafone CEO sees Verizon merger unlikely
|
New Zealand debt chief to seek to keep bond liquidity up
India in talks on BlackBerry e-mail access: source
|
New Zealand DMO head seees scope for NZ$ to rise
India launches mobile phone share trading
Taiwan luxury sedan maker plans exports
Money Never Sleeps faces hard time on Wall Street
|
Michael Chiklis' superhero series targets families
|
Mullova adds danger to the art of music making
|
MOOZ-lum depicts challenges for black US Muslims
|
Titanic sunk by steering mistake, author says
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights