CDDH: Protection and promotion of the civil society space in Europe

FEMYSO participated to a workshop at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg entitled *Protection and promotion of the civil society space in Europe*, organized by the CDDH during their 90th meeting under the aegis of the Finnish Presidency of Committee of ministers.

During this meeting, the new recommendation adopted by the Committee of Ministers (Council of Europe) on the 28th of November 2018 was presented in front of Council of Europe Member states representatives, human rights NGOs and other independent human rights activists. An overview of the work and researches done to establish and write this text were presented during a panel.

The creation of such recommendation is currently necessary as there are considerable and increasing number of allegations and reports of threats of a serious nature, risks and dangers faced by human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders online and offline. The restrictions are manifested through restrictive laws, regulations and policies. Moreover, a more restrictive approach to freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression is noticed. Physical and verbal attacks, threats against human rights defenders, women, migrants and minorities became common in civil society space. For these reasons, there is an urgent need of a tool to strengthen the protection and promotion of the civil society space in Europe.

The next step of the work will be the translation of the text into the different Council of Europe member states languages then addressed to the different governments to use it to ensure a safe environment for civil society.

FEMYSO stands in solidarity with the people of Strasbourg

Statement
Brussels, 11/12/2018

In these troubled times, The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) stands in solidarity with the people of Strasbourg following the gunman attack at the local Christmas market this evening.

We are shocked to hear of yet another heinous attack, this time in the beautiful and symbolic city of Strasbourg.

Our most heartfelt condolences go to the families and friends of those who have been impacted today in Strasbourg and our thoughts are with all those affected.

Ends.

ENAR and IHRC: Counter-Islamophobia toolkit on France launch

FEMYSO among other organizations had the privilege to attend the Counter-Islamophobia toolkit on France launch, in Brussels, Belgium. This event was organized by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and the European Network Against Racism (ENAR).

This toolkit is a review of dominant anti-Muslim narratives and compares counter-narratives in eight EU members states of France, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal, Greece, and the UK. For now, France’s toolkit has been the first launched, the other countries’ kit will be very soon.
It identifies and postulates narratives, arguments, strategies and actions that will be able to directly counter Islamophobia and set guidelines on best practice aimed at countering this form of racism. It calls for policymakers, governments and educational institutions to play an active role to tackle the issue and strengthen legal procedures on this issue.
To give some insights of what was presented, here are the five recommendations argumented in the Key National Messages Report :
1) Dissociate Islam from terrorism in the political discourse
2) Encourage media to adopt a more nuanced approach to Islam-related issues
3) Increase social involvement of Muslim women
4) Reframe the public debate on integration
5) Acknowledge discrimination against Muslims

For more details about the project, please check: https://cik.leeds.ac.uk/