Les démocrates et libéraux exhorte José-Manuel Barroso à contrer l'initiative de l'ONU contre le blasphème et l'islamophobie
Sophie IN'T VELD (D66, Pays-Bas) en appelle au président de la Commission européenne José Manuel Barroso pour qu'il condamne cette atteinte à la liberté d'expression et prenne toutes les mesures pour contrer cette initiative de l'ONU:
"Barroso doit mettre à profit sa prochaine réunion annuelle avec les chefs religieux pour obtenir une déclaration publique et commune en faveur du respect total et sans restriction de la liberté d'expression. Le Commission européenne, en tant que gardienne des Traités, a une responsabilité spécifique sur cette question", a-t-elle déclaré.
"La liberté de conscience et la liberté religieuse sont des droits fondamentaux, la pierre angulaire de la démocratie. Mais ces libertés sont des droits individuels. L'exercice de la liberté religieuse et de la liberté de conscience dépend entièrement de la liberté d'expression. La critique des orientations religieuses, politiques ou autres ne saurait être soumise à aucune restriction. Ce serait contraire à nos valeurs démocratiques. L'Union européenne doit tenir ferme le cap de la liberté," a conclu Mme In't Veld.
| Open Letter Brussels, 14 April 2009 José Manuel Barroso President of the European Commission European Commission Rue de la Loi 200 1049 Brussels Dear President Barroso, On March 27th, the Human Rights Council of the United Nations adopted Resolution 10/22 on “Combating Defamation of Religions”, at the initiative of Pakistan. The resolution expresses concern over growing intolerance and xenophobia, in particular islamophobia. Although we unambiguously condemn any form of discrimination and intolerance, we are deeply concerned at the measures proposed by the Human Rights Council, as they constitute an unacceptable restriction of the freedom of speech. Freedom of conscience and freedom of religion are fundamental rights, the cornerstone of democracy. But these freedoms are individual rights. The exercise of the freedom of religion and the freedom of conscience fully depends on the freedom of expression. We recognise that some views may be offensive to religious groupings, as some views held by religious groupings may be equally offensive or even intimidating to others. Clearly incitement to hatred or violence is unacceptable and indeed banned by law in most countries, and individuals and communities enjoy a degree of legal protection as well. But criticism of religious, political or other views should not be subject to any restrictions. That would be contrary to our democratic values. The European Union must stand tall for fundamental freedoms. The European Commission, as the custodian of the Treaties, has a special responsibility on this issue. We call on the Commission to firmly condemn any limitation of the freedom of speech and to take action against the UN initiative. We also propose that at the occasion of your forthcoming annual meeting with religious leaders, you will take the initiative for a joint public statement in support of full and unrestricted freedom of speech. Looking forward to your reply, Yours sincerely, Sophie in ‘t Veld, MEP ALDE Renate Weber, MEP ALDE Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, MEP ALDE Paulo Casaca, MEP PSE Sarah Ludford, MEP ALDE Michael Cashman, MEP ALDE Lena EK, MEP ALDE Raül Romeva i Rueda, MEP Greens Glenys Kinnock, MEP PSE Linda Mcavan, MEP PSE Jean Lambert, MEP Greens Johannes Lebech, MEP ALDE Jules Maaten, MEP ALDE Kathalijne Maria Buitenweg, MEP Greens Claude Moraes, MEP PSE Alexander Alvaro, MEP ALDE Silvana Koch-Mehrin, MEP ALDE |