Sunday

6th Dec 2020

Euro-Med Assembly condemns Danish cartoons

  • Palestine - the conflict with Israel is "holding the world hostage," speakers said (Photo: Ulla Sandbæk)

MEPs and national MPs from the EU and Mediterranean countries have approved a resolution which "condemned the offence" caused by the Danish cartoons of the prophet Mohammed as well "as the violence which their publication provoked."

The two-day plenary session of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, held in Brussels, also urged governments to "ensure respect for religious beliefs and to encourage the values of tolerance, freedom and multiculturalism."

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

Speaking during the parliamentary assembly, Egyptian parliament speaker Ahmed Sorour insisted that the cartoons published in Denmark and other recent events showed the existence of a cultural deficit.

Jordanian MP Hashem al-Qaisi also condemned the cartoons while remarking that it is not sufficient to deplore the cartoons as these things might occur again in another country.

But Danish parliamentarian MP Troels Poulsen, reacting to extensive criticism on Danish society over the issue, insisted that Danish society is based on both freedom of expression and religious tolerance.

He added that the government can not influence the media.

The Danish MP also said the violent reaction to the cartoons was disproportionate.

Resolution on Israel

The assembly also adopted a second resolution calling on the new Palestinian and Israeli governments to respect past commitments to the peace process.

During the debate, the deputy speaker of the Palestinian legislative council, Hasan Khreishi, requested the EU to remove Hamas from the list of terrorist organisations.

Mr Khreishi also appealed for continued support to the Palestine Authority.

"Starvation will push the Palestine people into alliances you do not wish. A hungry man is an angry man," said Mr Khreishi.

Moroccan parliamentary Speaker Abdel Wahad Radi, remarked that the Israeli-Palestine conflict continued to be an obstacle to better relations between the west and the muslim world.

"We will have to talk to each other in order to achieve good neighbourliness. This conflict does not only hold our region hostage, but the entire world," he stated.

Addressing the assembly, European Parliament president Josep Borrell referred to the Mediterranean as "a concentrate of all the problems facing humanity."

He said that after one year presiding over the assembly he "still did not fully understand the complexities of the Mediterranean."

EU Commission plans sanctions on disinformation

In part of a series of planned measures, the EU Commission plans to better protect free elections in a digital age, strengthen independent media, and counter disinformation.

Coronavirus

EU defends its slower vaccine authorisation

After the UK approved the use of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNtech, the pressure is mounting on the EU. But how are these vaccines approved in the bloc - and what is the legal liability?

Hungary legal challenge on rule of law 'unfounded'

Disgraced former Hungarian MEP József Szájer tried to derail a European Parliament resolution against Hungary over rule of law in 2018, but an EU court official has said his case was likely "unfounded".

Green Deal

EU Commission could pull out of controversial energy treaty

Brussels is now considering withdrawal from the controversial Energy Charter Treaty, if negotiations to modernise it fail. A leaked European Commission proposal, dated October, revealed that loopholes remain regarding the protection of fossil-fuel investment.

Opinion

Google, Fitbit, and a big decision for EU Commission

In the coming days the European Commission seems poised to green-light the acquisition of Fitbit by Google. The deal is a major threat to human rights and must be stopped in its tracks.

Podcast

Showdowns over the rule of law

Brussels is increasingly expected to serve as the European Union's sheriff on rule of law - but its ability to enforce adherence to democratic norms and values remains weak.

Green Deal

EU Commission could pull out of controversial energy treaty

Brussels is now considering withdrawal from the controversial Energy Charter Treaty, if negotiations to modernise it fail. A leaked European Commission proposal, dated October, revealed that loopholes remain regarding the protection of fossil-fuel investment.

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersReport: The prevalence of men who use internet forums characterised by misogyny
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersJoin the Nordic climate debate on 17 November!
  3. UNESDAMaking healthier diets the easy choice
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersUN Secretary General to meet with Nordic Council on COVID-19
  5. UNESDAWell-designed Deposit Return Schemes can help reach Single-Use Plastics Directive targets
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersNordic Council meets Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tichanovskaja

Latest News

  1. Corona-hackers targeted EU officials with bogus emails
  2. EU Commission plans sanctions on disinformation
  3. EU defends its slower vaccine authorisation
  4. Hungary legal challenge on rule of law 'unfounded'
  5. EU Commission could pull out of controversial energy treaty
  6. Google, Fitbit, and a big decision for EU Commission
  7. Showdowns over the rule of law
  8. EU keen to repair damage of Trump years

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us