MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

14.2.2006

to wind up the debate on statements by the European Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Martin Schulz, Hannes Swoboda, Jan Marinus Wiersma, Pasqualina Napoletano, Martine Roure
on behalf of the PSE Group
on freedom of expression and respect for religious belief

B6‑0137/2006

European Parliament resolution on freedom of expression and respect for religious belief

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the publication of a series of damaging cartoons in the European media,

–  having regard to the reactions of the High Representative, Javier Solana,the President of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, and the Austrian Presidency, and to the joint staement by the Secretaries-General of the UN and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect are the pillars of our society and of peaceful coexistence between societíes,

B.  whereas certain forms of expression can lead to mutual incomprehension and endanger peace,

C.  whereas the EU is fully committed to further developing and strengthening ties with the communities affected, on the basis of a spirit of mutual cooperation and a common vision of strengthened relations,

D.  whereas the freedoms laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights (freedom of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of expression and information) need to be accompanied by a strong sense of responsibility for the value and sentiments of religion in Europe and in the Muslim world,

1.  Defends freedom of expression as a fundamental value of the EU; believes that freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility and on a basis of respect for others' rights and sensibilities;

2.  Calls on all those who enjoy freedom of expression to commit themselves to supporting the fundamental values of the EU - democracy, pluralism and tolerance - and not to abuse that freedom by incitement to religious hatred or the dissemination of xenophobic or racist attitudes aimed at excluding our Muslim fellow citizens;

3.  Is aware that in a given social, cultural and political context the cartoons may have been perceived as a provocation and an attack on the religious feelings of the Muslim community;

4.  Condemns the threats made against European citizens in Syria, Lebanon and other countries of the region, as well as the recourse to violence against European diplomatic representations;

5.  Regrets the fact that in certain countries the demonstrations were orchestrated by the authorities, with the risk of deepening divisions and inciting hatred and intolerance; stresses that the situation calls for reflection and pacification on both sides, and that the rejection of far-right movements in Europe needs to be accompanied by the rejection of extremist movements in the Muslim world;

6.  Calls for a return to a climate of constructive and peaceful dialogue, and calls on local political and religious leaders to take active steps to end the violence;

7.  Recalls that the EMPA is the appropriate forum for working together with our partners on the southern bank of the Mediterranean for a democratic, pluralist and tolerant society based on the values of human rights; in this context, welcomes the statement by the EMPA Bureau and calls for the March session to deal with this problem as a priority issue;

8.  Believes that the improvement of economic and social conditions and the reinforcement of democratic values by means of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership constitute the best strategy for developing mutual understanding;

9.  Calls on the Commission, on the EU Presidency and on the High Representative, Javier Solana, to take all possible steps to encourage an open, sensitive and transparent dialogue between cultures, on behalf of all those citizens who wish to live humanely and respecting the other; welcomes, in this context, the mission by High Representative Solana to the Middle East as a concrete step to renew the dialogue between Europeans and the Muslim world;

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States and the southern Euro-Mediterranean partners, the UN Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the Islamic Conference Organisation.