THE RISE OF FAR-RIGHT NATIONALISM is the title of the second panel discussion of the major international Conference “Defending Democracy and Human Rights in the Face of War, Nationalism and Authoritarianism”, which was held on December 12, 2024, organized by CIVIL – Center for Freedom (North Macedonia) and MEDIA DIALOGUE / Y4M (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany), in partnership also with the New European People’s Forum based in Brussels, and with the support of the Government of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The panel discussion that was moderated by Wolfgang Ressmann, President of Media Dialogue/Y4M, Germany, included the participation of Roger Casale, Secretary General, New European People´s Forum, Italy, Kseniya Halubovich, Journalist, German-French Journalist Award 2021, Belarus (in exile), Mika Beuster, President, German Union of Journalists, Germany, Aleksandar Spasov, University Professor, North Macedonia, Admir Lisica, researcher, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bojan Maričić, civil society activist, Former Deputy PM for European Affairs and Former Minister of Justice, North Macedonia.
Panel 2: The rise of far-right nationalism – the impact on democracy and social cohesion
At the panel discussion, speakers discussed the surge of far-right movements and their impact on democracy and social cohesion: what media and civil society can do and setting the basis for further cooperation on a plan and strategy for action.
Kseniya Halubovich: People in exile need to continue to raise their voices for the millions of Belarusians who can’t speak
Kseniya Halubovich, Journalist, German-French Journalist Award 2021, Belarus (in exile) on the Panel “The Rise of Far-Right Nationalism”, spoke about the regime of Lukashenko and his support for Putin and what it is like to live in those conditions.
“Most of the journalists and activists now live in exile and work in exile, and now only these people can be voices of Belarusian people who cannot leave the country and who live in this silent gray zone inside under this pressure. Yesterday, we had terrible news that a woman killed herself because of the political repressions in Belarus. What happens when people can no longer speak out and don’t know what to do with all of these terrible conditions?”, says Halubovich.
Aleksandar Spasov: We as the mainstream must learn how to attract people instead of blaming political radicals
Aleksandar Spasov, Associate Professor in Legal Theory and Philosophy of Law, North Macedonia, reflected on the problem with the rule of law in general and justice in North Macedonia, but also in the Western Balkans region.
“In North Macedonia, we see that the people are completely disappointed with the justice system. We are one of the unique examples where people, less than 2% of the population, believe the courts that they are able to deliver justice and this is not just a problem for the functioning of the system, of the judiciary. This is a problem for the stability of the society, of the entire society. Why? Because when people feel that they cannot get justice in the courts, they are inclined to more radical, more, to say, revolutionary measures that promise that instead of the corrupt elites who rule the country, including the courts, they would bring justice, and this justice is not necessarily justice in the courts, but it’s also justice that can happen on the streets”, said Spasov.
Bojan Maricic: We need to translate people’s emotions into action that will oppose far-right nationalism
Bojan Maricic, civil society activist, expert on EU accession, law and politics, former Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs and Minister of Justice, North Macedonia, pointed out that when the narrative for a European perspective does not work, then the right-wing narrative comes in.
“In the Western Balkans there have always been two competing narratives – the narrative of the European integration and the narrative of the right-wing nationalism that dominates in the conflict or the conflict narrative in the Western Balkans. Usually, when one of them doesn’t work, the other one dominates. So, whenever the European integration as a narrative doesn’t work and doesn’t show results, then right-wing radical nationalism dominates the conflict narrative”, stressed Maricic.
Mika Beuster: We need to keep an eye on the still stable countries in Europe, because they are beacons that shine a light to the fragile regions
The President of the German Union of Journalists, Mika Beuster, on the panel spoke about the attitude of the media and placement of information that reports on right-wing nationalism and extremism.
“We need to keep an eye on the still stable countries in Europe, because they are beacons that shine a light to the regions that are fragile, so, it’s more important that we talk about this here, and connect people, journalists, civil society, because we cannot rely on the governments in Europe to do the job for us, it’s our job, to provide stability and journalists can be a part of that solution and act smartly”, said Beuster.
Admir Lisica: We have a problem with Russian influence and we need support from EU and NATO
Admir Lisica, regional political relations researcher, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in his presentation reflected on the current situation of Europe and stressed that it is dangerous for Bosnia and Herzegovina with the rise of nationalism.
“Also, I think the far-right politics played with people’s emotions. Far-right politics in the Balkans and Europe gives us a simple solution for big problems. And I think that’s a big problem for us in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For me, and for the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the NATO part, the EU part, the EU part is the more important in foreign policy. And I think this is a good place to see that we have a problem with Russian influence, and we need support from EU and NATO”, Lisica said.
Roger Casale: The new vision for Europe has to be not just a peace project, but also a safe space for democracy and human rights
Roger Casale from New European People’s Forum – Italy, reflected on the right-wing way of political operation across Europe, talking about nationalism and authoritarianism marching down the same road side by side – the road to war.
“There is a tendency where you see the monster in the horizon, to focus and tackle the monster. They have to be held to account, and there is a lot we have to do for ourselves, as committed democrats. The new vision for Europe has to be a vision that is going to be not just a peace project, but also a Europe that is a safe space for democracy and human rights. And we as citizens, as organizations, as civil society, are responsible to build that new Europe from the grassroots every day. And a lot of it is about a culture of civility, about how we relate to each other”, Casale said.
The goal of the Conference is to shed light on the challenges against democracy and human rights, but also to develop applicable recommendations and foundations for strategies to overcome them. The Conference was part of the official program of Human Rights Week – an initiative of North Rhine-Westphalia, and was held on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of CIVIL in 1999. The Conference is part of the international initiative Defending Democracy that was launched by partner organizations in Skopje
Translated by: N. Cvetkovska
For more information on the Conference, please visit the special website defendingdemocracy.civilmedia.mk
CONFERENCE, FULL VIDEO, Streamed live on December 12, 2024:
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