AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
Public Statement
AI Index: POL 30/007/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 032
6 February 2006
Freedom of speech carries responsibilities
for all
Events of recent weeks have highlighted the difficult question of
what should be the legitimate scope of freedom of _expression in
culturally diverse societies.
While different societies have drawn the boundaries of free speech
in different ways, the cartoon controversy shows how, in today's
increasingly global media space, the impact of actions in one
country can be felt way beyond its borders. Today, more than ever,
societies are faced with the challenge of asserting universal human
rights principles in an area where there has traditionally been a
tendency to defer to the domestic laws of a particular state and the
values they enshrine.
Set against the backdrop of the rising climate of intolerance and
suspicion between religious and other communities in many parts of
the world, including in Europe, two conflicting sets of principles
are being advanced in this controversy.
Newspaper editors have justified the publication of cartoons that
many Muslims have regarded as insulting, arguing that freedom of
artistic _expression and critique of opinions and beliefs are
essential in a pluralist and democratic society. On the other hand,
Muslims in numerous countries have found the cartoons to be deeply
offensive to their religious beliefs and an abuse of freedom of
speech. In a number of cases, protests against the cartoons have
degenerated into acts of physical violence, while public statements
by some protestors and community leaders have been seen as fanning
the flames of hostility and violence.
The right to freedom of opinion and _expression should be one of the
cornerstones of any society. This right includes "the freedom
to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas through any media, regardless of
frontiers" (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19).
For more than forty years, Amnesty International (AI) has defended
this right against attempts by governments across the globe to
stifle religious dissent, political opposition and artistic
creativity.
However, the right to freedom of _expression is not absolute --
neither for the creators of material nor their critics. It carries
responsibilities and it may, therefore, be subject to restrictions
in the name of safeguarding the rights of others. In particular, any
advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes
incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence cannot be
considered legitimate exercise of freedom of _expression. Under
international standards, such "hate speech" should be
prohibited by law.
AI calls on the government officials and those responsible for law
enforcement and the administration of justice to be guided by these
human rights principles in their handling of the current situation.
AI also calls on those working in the media to act with sensitivity
and responsibility so as not to exacerbate the current situation.
This incident highlights the power and reach of the media and AI
calls on those in the media to apply greater political judgement,
taking into account the potential impact of their output and the
range of often competing human rights considerations involved.
While AI recognises the right of anyone to peacefully express their
opinion, including through peaceful protests, the use and threat of
violence is unacceptable. Community leaders must do everything in
their power to defuse the current atmosphere of hostility and
violence. Culture and religion are of central importance to many
people’s lives, but they cannot be used as an excuse to abuse
human rights.