A broad coalition of civil society organisations has today sent a joint letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, calling for stronger action to address the increasing normalisation of discriminatory rhetoric within the European Parliament.
Dear President Metsola,
We, the undersigned organisations, are writing to express our concern regarding the events that took place during the plenary session of 17 June 2026. Following the vote on the Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (Return Regulation), a number of Members of the European Parliament applauded the outcome and chanted, “send them back”.
As the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Parliament Regarding Integrity and Transparency highlights in its Article 1(a), Guiding Principles: “Members of the European Parliament are guided by and observe the following general principles of conduct: disinterest, integrity, openness, diligence, honesty, accountability and respect for Parliament’s dignity and reputation”.
The European Parliament occupies a unique position as the directly elected institution representing the diversity of people living across the European Union. It is important that all plenary debates, committee meetings, as well as events in the EP are conducted in a manner that upholds the dignity of all people as set out in the EU Treaties and reflects the values and standards that the Parliament seeks to embody. Given that plenary and Committee proceedings are broadcasted and remain publicly accessible, expressions made in the chamber carry significance beyond the immediate political moment and help shape wider public discourse.
We are highly concerned, also because this is not an isolated occurrence. Since the beginning of this term, we have seen a clear increase in misogynist and sexist, LGBTI-phobic as well as racist and antisemitic hate speech. While Members have on occasion raised points of order in response to statements they consider discriminatory or inappropriate, there appears to be no clear guidance and uncertainty regarding how such situations should be addressed in real time, as well as followed up adequately.
We therefore call on you as President of the House, to make a public statement at the beginning of the next plenary to restore the respect of human rights and dignity in the plenary as well as remind all members of the rules of the house. We also would like to hear from you what measures you will take to ensure that those chairing plenary and committee proceedings are equipped with the guidance, confidence, institutional support as well as specific knowledge of the procedures necessary to respond consistently when such conduct takes place?
At a time of increasing political polarisation and heightened social tensions across Europe, it is particularly important that disagreements on policy are expressed in ways that preserve respect for the dignity, rights and humanity of all individuals. Public institutions play a crucial role in setting this standard.
Yours sincerely,
- ACAT Belgique
- ACAT Espagne-Catalogne
- ActionAid International
- Action by Christians Against Torture-UK
- Amnesty International
- Asociación Por Ti Mujer
- Avocats Sans Frontières Belgium
- Bi+ Equal
- CAN Europe
- Caritas Europa
- Center for Countering Digital Hate
- Center for Reproductive Rights
- CGT Opfra
- CIDSE
- CNCD-11.11.
- COFACE Families Europe
- CONCORD
- ELC – Eurocentralasian Lesbian Community
- End FGM European Network
- ENSIE, the European Network of Work Integration Social Enterprises
- ERGO Network
- Eurodiaconia
- EuroMed Rights
- European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
- European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA)
- EASPD (European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities)
- EPSU- European Public Service Unions
- European Coalition for Corporate Justice
- European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)
- European Disability Forum (EDF)
- European Environmental Bureau
- European Sex Workers’ Rights Alliance
- European Women’s Lobby
- Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice
- European Network on Statelessness (ENS)
- FEANTSA (the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless)
- FIACAT (Federation Internationale des ACAT)
- foodwatch International
- Friends of the Earth Europe
- HIAS Europe
- Humanists International
- IFSW Europe
- IGLYO
- ILGA-Europe
- International Commission of Jurists
- International Planned Parenthood Federation – European Network (IPPF EN)
- International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)
- Jesuit Refugee Service Belgium
- Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe
- Jesuit Refugee Service Malta
- La Cimade
- La Strada International
- Médecins du Monde International Network
- Missing Children Europe
- Move Coalition
- OII Europe
- Oxfam
- Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)
- Protection International
- Quaker Council for European Affairs
- RED ACOGE
- Save the Children Europe
- Social Platform
- Statewatch
- Stichting LOS, Netherlands
- TGEU
- Transparency International EU
- Utopia 56
- VOICE
- Volonteurope
- Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Network
- World Organisation against Torture (OMCT)