MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
14.2.2006
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Cristiana Muscardini and Konrad Szymański
on behalf of the UEN Group
on the right to freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B6-0136/2006
B6‑0141/2006
European Parliament resolution on the right to freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the existing EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental rights of the European Union,
– having regard to the disturbances and violence generated by the publication in some European countries of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed,
– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the right to fundamental freedoms, such as the right to life, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom of expression and information, is enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and is therefore recognised by all Member States,
B. whereas, according to Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, 'the Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States', and 'the Union shall respect fundamental rights',
C. whereas one of the values of the UE is religious freedom, and whereas the exercise of religion cannot infringe democratic rules and must not disrespect another fundamental value of the Union, which is the right to life and the inviolability of the person,
D. whereas the principles and values that the EU defends and respects must also be respected by third countries on the basis of mutual recognition,
E. whereas the European Union defends and promotes fundamental freedoms and adopts policies to respect the principles that they uphold,
F. whereas the idea of freedom is abused when it becomes the liberty to do, say and behave in a way that endangers the freedoms of other people,
G. whereas intolerant fundamentalists are using the alleged prohibition to portray the image of the Prophet Mohammed as their pretext for violent protests; whereas in fact this prohibition is not unanimously shared in the Muslim world and in other cultures,
1. Affirms that press freedom, like any other civil or social freedom, is a fundamental value that forms part of the basis of every modern and democratic society and cannot be censured;
2. Considers that press freedom must respect religious beliefs and symbols, and that any satirical work must not be gratuitously offensive or insulting to what is fully recognised and held to be sacred;
3. Denounces the assassination of Father Santoro by religious fanatics in Turkey; strongly condemns all the acts of violence committed and deplores the recent destruction of European embassies and Christian churches;
4. Condemns all fanatic fundamentalist religious leaders who have used the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to stir hatred and violence against the Western world as a pretext for advancing their agenda of a unilateral war of religion;
5. Considers that tolerance and understanding must be common components of all religions and must be promoted by religious dialogue with a view to peaceful coexistence;
6. Urges all religious authorities to make every possible effort to call for mutual recognition, understanding and respect for all different religious and cultural values;
7. Affirms that satirical works concerning Western religious beliefs have often been published, but that the public reaction did not lead to widespread violence and expressions of hatred against those responsible and the culture they represented;
8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the parliaments of the Member States.