PRESS RELEASE: FEMYSO Responds to Far-Right Demonstrations at EYE 2025 

Strasbourg, 14 June 2025 — The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) strongly condemns the far-right demonstration that took place outside the European Parliament during the European Youth Event (EYE) 2025, targeting our organisation and its members. 

This public attack, led by the youth wing of Identité Libertés and Rassemblement National Jeunes, supported by members of the far-right Patriots alliance, included the active participation of two sitting Members of the European Parliament.  
 
This escalation is not an isolated incident — it is part of a systematic campaign of intimidation and defamation. 

Both in 2021 and 2023, FEMYSO was similarly targeted during the European Youth Event with far-right actors attempting to discredit our presence and silence our voices. These repeated attacks make it clear that this is not about legitimate political disagreement — it is about the deliberate exclusion of Muslim youth from European civic space. 

“When elected officials stand shoulder to shoulder with hate groups outside the very institutions tasked with safeguarding democracy, we must recognise it for what it is: a direct assault on civic participation, inclusion, and European values,” said Hania Chalal, President of FEMYSO. 

FEMYSO has, for almost 30 years, represented thousands of young European Muslims committed to democratic engagement, inclusion, and the fight against discrimination. Our presence at the European Youth Event, hosted by the European Parliament, is not only legitimate — it is essential. 

This coordinated campaign sends a chilling message to racialised and marginalised communities across Europe: that their voices are not welcome. The European Union cannot credibly claim to defend equality and fundamental rights while ignoring the harassment and endangerment of Muslim youth at its own events. 

At a time when young people from across Europe are gathering at the European Parliament to discuss shared futures, it is deeply unjust that Muslim youth must defend their very right to participate. The EU must choose: will it be a space of inclusion and democracy — or one that enables discrimination? 

We call on: 

• The European Parliament to publicly condemn the intimidation of youth participants based on their religion or background; 

• Elected officials and democratic forces to reject the instrumentalisation of Islamophobic narratives for political gain; 

• EU Anti-Muslim hatred Coordinator to urgently meet with FEMYSO and fulfil her role with the seriousness it demands. Despite repeated requests since her appointment, she has consistently refused to engage with us – even as Muslim youth face escalating hate and defamation within EU institutions.    

• Civil society and youth organisations to stand united in defending civic space for all young Europeans, without exception. 

“We are here because we belong and because we want to contribute. Muslim youth are a vital part of Europe’s future — and no amount of hate will push us out of the institutions that shape it,” said Hania Chalal. 

FEMYSO remains committed to building a Europe where the youth can fully contribute to shaping the policies that affect their lives — free from fear, discrimination, or scapegoating.  

[END]    

Notes:     

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network of 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 European countries. It is the leading voice for European Muslim youth, developing and empowering them, and working to build a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.      

2. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org.