In response to incidents in several Muslim countries following the publication of caricatures of Muhammad, MEPs will hold a debate on freedom of expression and respect for religious faith.Anything for a quiet life?
The presidents of the parliament’s political groups have, however, decided to only allow one person from each group to speak on the sensitive issue, as MEPs do not want to take a firm stance on the matter before next month’s Euro-Mediterranean summit, including several Muslim states.
MEPs will also discuss the past weeks’ burning issue of whether there any limits to freedom of expression and if a European code of conduct regarding the freedom of expression could be applied to sensitive matters such as personal faith.
February 12, 2006
EU to debate free speech
The EUobserver reports that the European Parliament is to hold a restricted debate on the limits of free speech amid calls for a European “code of conduct” covering freedom of expression.
