New European identity would help stem racism

European haste in forging ahead with economic and political union without creating a new European identity is fuelling racism in the region, a United Nations expert said.

"Europe... has suddenly realised they are constructing a political union on the basis of an identity built centuries ago based on Christianity and certain types of ethnic features," said the UN Rapporteur on Racism and Xenophobia, Doudou Diene.

While Mr Diene praised as "positive" the move toward political union in the European Union, he said its member states had not done enough to recognise diversity as an essential part of Europe's identity.

"This diversity of ethnicity, culture and religion in Europe is not reflected in the national identities of European countries," he told Reuters.

"That is the fundamental argument being used not only by xenophobic parties but even by democratic parties."

Anti-immigrant rhetoric in last month's French referendum in which voters rejected the EU constitution showed mainstream parties adopting extremist views, Mr Diene said.

"Democratic political parties are increasingly influenced by extreme right parties through the guise of combating illegal immigration, through the defence of national interests."

Asked if he believed the swift pace of European integration had increased racism, Mr Diene replied: "Yes, I believe that very strongly.

"It is urgent that in the identity building of Europe, the multi-cultural and multiethnicity of Europe, be given the same priority as the political and economic dimension."

The September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States by radical Muslims linked to al Qaeda prompted many European countries to sideline civil liberties and close their doors to asylum seekers creating a "Fortress Europe", Mr Diene said.