Following a contentious debate held on 7 October 2026 regarding a resolution on “Islamist entryism” and the Muslim Brotherhood, a coalition of civil society organizations has issued a joint letter expressing grave concern over the conduct of members of the European Parliament. The letter, addressed to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, was coordinated by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), alongside other signatories.
Allegations of Hate Speech and Rule Violations
The organizations argue that the language employed during the session violated Rule 10 of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure and Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which prohibits discrimination. The letter details specific instances of what it describes as defamatory language, hate speech, and incitement to discrimination. According to the text, several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) utilized rhetoric that accused Muslims of infiltrating democratic systems like a “creeping poison,” a statement attributed to Assita Kanko of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.
Other cited remarks included calls to combat Islam’s influence on daily life by Kristoffer Storm (ECR), and demands to close prayer rooms, ban headscarves and halal food, and deport Muslims who prioritize the Quran over the constitution, attributed to Majbritt Birkholm of the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group. The letter asserts that such rhetoric fuels hatred and stigmatization against millions of people across Europe at a time when these communities are already facing rising hostility and violence.
Targeting Youth Organizations and Anti-Racism Networks
A significant portion of the criticism focuses on the singling out of the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO). One MEP, Céline Imart from the European People’s Party (EPP), likened FEMYSO to a “Trojan horse” accused of infiltrating European institutions. FEMYSO categorically rejects these accusations, noting its longstanding engagement with EU institutions since 2016. The organization highlighted that it has faced harassment during events such as the European Youth Event in 2021, 2023, and 2025, and again in September 2026 during the European Action Day Against Islamophobia.
The letter also condemns the resolution’s attempt to delegitimize anti-racism organizations, including FEMYSO and the European Network Against Racism (ENAR). It argues that treating routine civil society activities, such as policy advocacy and public debate, as evidence of “entryism” undermines EU values under Articles 2 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union. The organizations warn that the resolution could lead to restricted access and funding for these groups, particularly given that ENAR recently lost structural funding from the European Commission.
Contradiction with EU Anti-Racism Strategies
The signatories emphasize that the resolution contradicts recent initiatives, including the EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030 and the Council of the EU’s conclusions on combating racism, both of which recognize anti-Muslim hatred as a specific form of discrimination. This stance is underscored by the 2024 EU FRA report, “Being Muslim in the EU,” which found that 47% of Muslim respondents had experienced racial discrimination in the preceding five years. The letter concludes by urging President Metsola to condemn the incitement to discrimination and reject efforts to criminalize Muslim civil society organizations under the guise of countering Islamist entryism.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
