Tina Smith: “Today I attended a hearing of the Helsinki Commission on the increase in anti-Semitism and extremist political parties…”

“Today I attended a hearing of the Helsinki Commission on the increase in anti-Semitism and extremist political parties in Europe. I take a deep interest in hate crimes, bigotry, and anti-Semitism. In our society, these issues are mostly restricted to the political fringe. Nobody in this country would gain widespread electoral support for the formation of an explicitly racist party. We are perhaps unique in that respect. In Europe, these parties are not only formed--they are prospering. Today's hearing did much to highlight the rise of bigotry and discrimination in Europe. A number of experienced witnesses from the U.N., executive branch, and nonprofit sector described the political situation in Europe today, and it is alarming. Across the continent, extremist groups are parading openly and gaining support. In Russia, two thousand supporters of a fascist organization rallied on November 4, the country's National Day, to shout xenophobic and anti-Semitic slogans. Many gave the Hitler salute. This in Russia, which suffered more from the aggression of Nazism than perhaps any other nation in the world. In Hungary last month, 600 people were sworn in as new members of the extremist, paramilitary 'Hungarian Guard,' wearing uniforms similar to those of the World War II fascist government.”