Brussels: Human rights and transparency groups yesterday urged European Union lawmakers to reject promotion of Germany’s Commissioner to head of human resources at the EU executive over remarks they view as “racist and homophobic”.
The campaign groups protested after Guenther Oettinger, the current Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, called Chinese people “slit-eyes” - comments for which he has apologised.
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced Oettinger’s appointment to a new role as Commissioner for the Budget and Human Resources in October and his confirmation hearing is due in the European Parliament on Jan. 9.
“Oettinger has made racist and homophobic remarks on several occasions in the past,” the groups wrote in an open letter.
“It is more vital to have a strong and credible commitment from European Commission to counter discrimination and act for equality for all.”
Oettinger apologised in November for the remarks which he acknowledged were “somewhat sloppy” and had “hurt” people, after China’s foreign ministry condemned his comments.
Ten organisations including Transparency International EU signed the letter.
The groups also question Oettinger’s independence from corporate interests, particularly after trips he made to Budapest on a private jet belonging to a German businessman close to the Kremlin.
Some EU lawmakers and non-governmental organisations have called for Oettinger’s resignation, and a number of EU parliamentarians have warned they could try to block the German during confirmation hearings for his new role.
