Brussels, 19/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - MEPs from the European Parliament have urged the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton to take a firm and intransigent stand against religious violence and to actively fight against attacks against Christians in the world. They have called on Ashton to put pressure on non-EU countries where these attacks have taken place and freeze implementation of bilateral treaties concluded between the European Union and these countries. Parliament hopes that the European Union will publish a strong and unequivocal declaration on this issue during the next “General Affairs” Council. MEPs made the statements during a plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday 19 January, before this Thursday's vote on a resolution.
Ashton stated that the “EU condemns all forms of intolerance and violence against persons because of their religion or belief, wherever it takes place.” She added that “each violation must be taken seriously and condemned with the same force, wherever it takes place and whoever is the victim. Human rights are universal…the EU stands ready to enhance its cooperation with governments to combat intolerance and protect human rights”. Speaking on behalf of the EPP Group, Elmar Brok (EPP, Germany) underlined the importance of protecting Christian minorities, which are 70% of attacks made by religious extremists in the world. The EPP is calling on the EP to put direct pressure on governments in countries where Christian minorities are persecuted. The S&D Group declared that in addition to Christian minorities, all religious minorities should be protected and the Islamophobia should also be condemned. Everyone and all minorities have the right to freely exercise their religion in peace, underlined Hannes Swoboda (S&D, Austria). Speaking on behalf of the ALDE Group, Marietje Schaake from the Netherlands also condemned extremist attacks made in the name of religion. She said that religion is never a credible or acceptable reason to commit terrorist acts. Speaking for the Greens/EFA, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen from France emphasised that the resolution should take into account all acts of violence committed for religious reasons, even when the perpetrators or victims are atheists and when they take place in EU member states, where there has been a rise in nationalism and discrimination against certain minorities. Christians are undoubtedly the forgotten minority, explained Konrad Szymanski on behalf of the ECR Group. Everyone should be convinced that the freedom of Christians to practise their religion is of the highest importance to the EU and that the EU ensures that this right is respected. Kyriacos Triantaphyllides from Cyprus spoke on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group and firmly denounced the increasing attacks against Christians in Cyprus, a European Union country. Several Cypriots particularly denounced the attack made by Turkish extremists during a Christian religious ceremony in which the officiating priest had to remove his religious attire and suspend the mass. Europe is historically Christian and defends human rights, declared Fiorello Provera from Italy, speaking on behalf of the EFD. Recent criminal acts against Syriac sects are only one aspect of the daily attacks on Christian minorities in the world, he explained. The French non-attached MEP Bruno Gollnisch said that “words are not enough, action is necessary”. (I.L./transl.fl)