Danish cartoons: free speech plus action on discrimination

2.43.02pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 15th Feb 2006

The European Parliament is set to pass a resolution on the Danish cartoons affair, strongly upholding the right of free speech and condemning violence but also calling for dialogue to promote more understanding.

London's LibDem Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP says:

"A free and independent media is an essential requirement of a liberal democracy. Violent protest, some of it orchestrated, is unacceptable as a response to perceived offence. Islamic fundamentalists are doing a serious disservice to moderate Muslims, just as Christian and Jewish fanatics tar their religions."

"But this furore comes against a background of serious ongoing discrimination and deprivation suffered by Muslim communities, as well as the outrages of Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, and stereotyping through anti-terrorism or 'stop and search' laws. We must work much harder to combat poverty and exclusion."

Sarah Ludford therefore welcomes more European action to promote integration and combat discrimination, such as the establishment of a high-level group of experts due to report back in 2007 with policy recommendations on how the EU can tackle social and labour market exclusion for disadvantaged minorities.

She has also welcomed a new EU report suggesting improvements in the way discrimination against ethnic minorities is measured so that information can be easily compared across EU Member States:

"It is impossible for the EU to take steps to fight discrimination unless we have a comprehensive picture of the current situation, so UK-style ethnic monitoring is crucial. We must overcome the 'colourblindness' or excessive sensitivity which prevents some countries from collecting the data necessary to stop discrimination."