NGOs demand clear response from EU Parliament chief over anti-immigration chants

A coalition of non-governmental organizations has formally requested European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to provide a "clear response" to anti-immigration chants that echoed through the chamber during a plenary session. The NGOs voiced their concerns following the Parliament's approval of the Returns Regulation on June 17th, which includes provisions for establishing return centers in third countries.

During a meeting with Metsola's cabinet, the organizations highlighted their worry that the chants were not an isolated incident but indicative of a growing normalization of racist, anti-immigrant, sexist, misogynistic, and LGBTI-phobic rhetoric within European democratic institutions. They argue that such language legitimizes hatred and emboldens those who target migrants and racialized communities.

The incident occurred after the vote on the Returns Regulation, when parliamentary groups from the right and far-right reportedly celebrated with applause and chanted "Send them back!". Conversely, MEPs who opposed the regulation responded with chants of "Shame on you!". This exchange prompted complaints from both opposing MEPs and 72 pro-immigration and civil society organizations.

Silvia Carta, head of PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation with Undocumented Migrants), stated, "The European Parliament cannot claim to defend the EU's founding values – human dignity and equality – while racist slogans like 'go away' resonate in its own hall. Words matter." Katrin Hugendubel, deputy director of ILGA-Europe, acknowledged the meeting as a significant step but stressed that "racist chants within the European Parliament cannot become the new normal." She warned that such rhetoric contributes to an environment where hostility and violence against migrants, LGBTI individuals, and other minorities are increasingly normalized, placing a duty on political leaders to confront hate speech.