MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on protecting democracy against censorship
30.6.2021
Aurélia Beigneux, Annika Bruna, Markus Buchheit, Gianantonio Da Re, Filip De Man, Catherine Griset, Jean‑François Jalkh, Maximilian Krah, Jean‑Lin Lacapelle, Hélène Laporte, Gilles Lebreton, Julie Lechanteux, Miroslav Radačovský, Tom Vandendriessche
B9‑0380/2021
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on protecting democracy against censorship
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union,
– having regard to Articles 11 and 12 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,
– having regard to Rule 143 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas democracy, a core value of the EU, entails the free exchange of political ideas, which every individual has the right to form, convey and receive; whereas it is particularly important in the context of election campaigns and the work of elected representatives;
B. whereas, however, democracy is being threatened by unjustified and disingenuous moves to brand an increasing number of ideas as ‘hate speech’, a subjective concept for which there is no basis in law, and by content filtering on media and digital platforms;
1. Reiterates its unwavering commitment to freedom of opinion and expression;
2. Stresses that elections are the cornerstone of democracy, and that elected representatives and those who stand as candidates deserve particular protection;
3. Stresses that the increasingly frequent instances of people being punished for expressing commonly accepted ideas and opinions represent attempts to impose legal restrictions on political discourse; condemns these attempts, whose entirely arbitrary nature is illustrated by the ever broader range of targets;
4. Calls for EU legislation to guarantee the protection required by banning restrictions on all forms of expression by elected representatives or candidates, unless a court order has been issued.