Signs of Nazi past may be outlawed

BRUSSELS - Nazi symbols could be banned throughout the European Union under new moves to clamp down on racism and xenophobia following the photos of Prince Harry wearing a swastika armband.

A drive to ban fascist insignia won key support from Luxembourg, which holds the rotating EU presidency, and from the European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, Franco Frattini, yesterday.

However the proposals are likely to embarrass Britain, which, along with Italy, helped block similar ideas two years ago.

Following the furore over Prince Harry, several German politicians have called for the EU to ban Nazi symbols, as Germany, Austria and Hungary already do.

Last year, plans for a framework decision, setting out minimum legal standards throughout the EU, failed to get the unanimous support needed. Germany had pushed for Holocaust denial to be included in the measure as an offence.

Yesterday Mr Frattini's spokesman, Friso Roscam Abbing, said the commission "thinks this would be a good moment indeed to start the discussions once again".

A spokesman for the Luxembourg presidency of the EU said: "We attach great importance to the fight against racism and xenophobia. We intend to relaunch the debate in working groups in the Council of Ministers [where member states meet]."

The scope of the proposed measures remains unclear. Nevertheless, the British Government would be in an embarrassing position if it vetoed a move to outlaw Nazi insignia.

Many people remain unconvinced by the case for a ban.

Chris Davies, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, said: "Banning symbols cannot ban evil and risks playing into the hands of those who would seek to subvert the very liberties we most champion.

"What matters is that each new generation should be taught to appreciate the depravities of which mankind is capable, especially when political philosophies take hold that pay no respect to the value of each and every human being, whatever their race, religion or creed."

- INDEPENDENT