2026 Final Statement of Emmaus International Board Meeting

The Board of Emmaus International, meeting in Trappes (France), where a tragic event took place this 23 October, expresses its deep concern about this terrible racist and Islamophobic terrorist attack in the department of Yvelines.

Its members, coming from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe, would like to first and foremost stand in solidarity with the victims of this attack, which took the life of a young, 26-year-old man, Pengo Bossio Wangi, and left seven injured to varying degrees, including a young, 11-year-old girl. They also stand in solidarity with the victims’ families and with residents of Trappes and La Verrière.

Hate kills. Racism kills. The history of humanity has sadly been evidence of this, and these recent atrocities are a stark reminder.

We would like to hold the media accountable and shine a light on the ideologies responsible for spreading racism with impunity in France, Europe and around the world. This racism has political roots and the far-right parties which unceasingly spread hate speech and racist stigmatisation are also responsible.

We also condemn the powerful international interest groups which fund and boost the influence of certain media groups, social networks and television channels, which have given up ethical oversight and spread and promote xenophobic and exclusionary content. Normalising racist discourse makes it possible for political parties which restrict and undermine freedom, justice, democracy and fundamental human rights to acquire power.

Given this situation, we reaffirm that we cannot accept or resign ourselves to the poverty and exclusion afflicting much of the global population. As representatives of the groups united within Emmaus, true to our belief in international fraternity and to our values of welcome, justice and human dignity, we call on Emmaus groups, citizens and all social and political organisations to form a strong political and media opposition to confront the far right, poverty, inequality, and any action or intention to exclude someone based on their race, gender, beliefs or origin.

We, the present members, are aware of the major social and environmental issues and suffering inflicted by capitalist globalisation, militarisation and exclusionary ideologies. That is why we reaffirm our political commitment to combat the causes of suffering, poverty and division that lead to exclusion.

We believe that the protests and struggles waged by young people in several European counties testify to people’s exhaustion with the global system that offers no hope or future. These initiatives and protests aim to effect deep social and political change through grassroots organisation and public pressure. They are stoking a citizen uprising and rejection of divisionary ideologies, and are thus the sincerest, strongest form of resistance to renew hope in the future.

Another society and a new world are still possible! Grassroots initiatives and the global struggle for democracy have had recent victories, notably in Serbia and Lula’s win in Brazil. These glimmers of hope are reasons to continue our struggle for a peaceful, free society.

We demand that social justice, equal rights and environmental protection become top, universal priorities for humanity.

Trappes, 6 November 2026.