EU ban urged on communist symbols

Several European Parliament members have urged the EU to match a proposed ban on Nazi signs with one on communist symbols like the hammer and sickle. The MEPs, from Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, said communist symbols were a reminder of suffering under Soviet-era regimes. EU debate over Nazi symbols was fuelled by outcry after the UK's Prince Harry wore a swastika to a costume party. A spokesman said the EU had no plans to include communist signs in any new ban. Possible measures forbidding Nazi symbols are to be discussed by EU members this month as part of proposed rules to outlaw xenophobia and racism across the 25-member bloc.