Tagged with Freedom of Speech

World leaders and hypocrisy: Nous sommes a bunch of Charlies

Mass Unity Rally Held In Paris Following Recent Terrorist AttacksIt’s not often state-sponsored demonstrations take place in a liberal democracy, but that’s what today’s Unity March in Paris was. That isn’t to deny it was a genuine popular upwelling of people disgusted by Wednesday’s atrocity. No amount of establishment handwringing can bring 3.7m people out onto the streets if the sentiments weren’t truly heartfelt. And it was a fantastic display of solidarity against those who would seek to capitalise on the attacks to foster divisions, though quite how a mobilisation of moderate opinion would blunt the efficacy of racist populism remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, what of the great and the good who took to the streets? It must have been quite a novelty for our Prime Minister to be on a demonstration instead of being the object of one. If the leaders looked a bit stiff while they marched, it’s because of all the brass necks. Even then they weren’t on the demonstration proper. Theirs was a stroll that looked impressive from the front but from above was as deep as the assembled’s commitment to free expression. Je suis Charlie? A right bunch of Charlies, more like. Continue reading →

On Charlie Hebdo and defending liberty – a dose of multiculturalism would help

charlie-hebdoToday we express solidarity and sympathy with the remaining staff of Charlie Hebdo and the families and friends of their 12 colleagues brutally murdered yesterday. It was an appalling attack on the freedom of speech, including the right to criticise, to satirise and to lampoon which we believe are essential features of democracy.

Furthermore, in defending the right to criticise, to satirise and to lampoon, we recognise that the exercise of this right will sometimes offend. Some of those who are condemning yesterday’s murders as an act of terrorism, including the White House, previously criticised Charlie Hebdo in doing just that by publishing images some of which were indeed obscene (such as this which we recommend you do not look at if you are likely to be offended) after it had been firebombed for similar actions the previous year. In a democracy, the right of free speech is accompanied by a requirement of tolerance. You don’t have to read or listen to views you disagree with or find offensive. That applies to views both promoting and criticising aspects of religious or political belief. Continue reading →

All who believe in truth and justice need to defend Assange

No wonder the diplomats, the politicians, the controllers hate him so much.   By trumping up sex charges against him, by claiming he may have broken US law by revealing data that puts (CIA) lives at risk – even though that’s exactly what Karl Rove did for Bush – the US is determined to get their revenge on Julian Assange and silence his truth machine by any means available.   If they can use David Blunkett’s one-sided pro-US 2003 Extradition Act to get him sent to the US by a pliant UK Government (one of WikiLeaks’ revelations is that the Tories promised that if the US lent them help to win the election, a Tory Government would be more likely to buy US arms), so much the better.   It is vital that all those who believe in truth and justice defend Assange, not only for his courage and commitment, but to preserve the momentous change in international governance he has brought about.