Reasserting human rights principles in the current political climate is urgent – Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network

Meeting in Paris the Executive Committee[1] of the EMHRN expressed its deep concern over a number of recent events in particular the publication of the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed and the responses generated internationally. The Executive was also concerned about the international response to the election of Hamas in Palestine and also at the lack of respect for basic human rights principles during the elections in Egypt. The EMHRN was furthermore alarmed at the apparent diluting of human rights concerns in the outcome of the Summit of Heads of State in Barcelona in November 2005.

The desire to set aside human rights values and principles, at the expense of short term political advantage or cultural relativism, should be resisted by all in the current circumstances.

The publication of the controversial cartoons and, more importantly, the violent responses generated illustrate a number of important points that have significance for the Euro-Med region and beyond. The publications of the caricatures and the reaction to them need to be viewed in the context of an ongoing divide between majority and minority groups often focused around religion or religious practices – a divide that has become increasingly harsh in recent years. Actions and expressions are made and received in such a context and it is important to strike the right balance and test the limits of the essential freedom of expression in this particular light.

As has been pointed out by the European Court of Human Rights on several occasions, whoever exercises the freedom of expression has duties and responsibilities in relation to the rights of others, not only as regards the content of the expression, but also as regards the immediate context and broader social, cultural and political context in which it is used. Freedom of expression is a precondition for the exercise of other rights and as such is fundamental in a democratic society, but is and has never been unconditional.

Secondly, the events have highlighted the deep frustration and discontent felt by many in the region at what they see to be a continuing denial of their most basic rights to freedom, equality and justice as well their equal right to mutual respect and understanding. They see the publication of the cartoons and the blanket defence of the ‘right to free speech’ as lacking a sense of responsibility, itself an inherent component of that right.

The EMHRN has expressed its dismay at the growing chasm between what governments say and what they do (and its implications for human rights and democracy) and by how the issues are all too often conveyed via simplistic images and analyses in the West about Islam and in the Arab world about the West to negative effect.

The Executive noted with growing concern the readiness of some Arab governments to focus on this event as a means of diverting attention on ongoing human rights abuses and denials within their own countries and the urgent need for real and substantial reform. The EMHRN also remains strongly opposed to some Arab governments continued efforts to muzzle the voices and agendas of civil society for example, at the G8 Forum for the Future Summit in Bahrain.

While noting and urging for respect of the democratic outcome and process of the elections in the West Bank and Gaza, the EMHRN reiterates that they can never be called free given the realities of Israeli occupation, and insists that recognized international human rights standards and international law should be at the core of future peace agendas as well as in Israel and Palestine. The Executive Committee expressed dismay about the lack of free and fair elections in Egypt proving, once again, the unwillingness of the Egyptian government to initiate the much needed democratic process.

The EMHRN insists that the governments of the Euro-Med Partnership implement the commitments made in Barcelona to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. This urgently needs to be achieved in the context of significant and growing involvement by civil society organizations (independent of government) and with balanced economic and social development underpinned with an explicit focus on poverty and exclusion.




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[1] Members of the EC are: Kamel Jendoubi, President, Tunisia; Eva Norstroem, Vice president, Sweden; Theocharis Papamargaris, Tresurer, Greece; Rabea Naciri, Morocco; Bahey El-Din Hassan, Egypt; Klaus Slavensky, Denmark; Randa Siniora, Palestine; Michel Tubiana, France; Colm Regan, Ireland; and Reyhan Yalcindag, Turkey.