Brussels, 21/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - In a “message of peace and tolerance”, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Nabil Al-Arabi, and President of the committee of the African Union Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma condemned on Thursday 20 September “all incitation to religious hatred which constitutes incitation to hostility and violence” and “every message of hatred and intolerance”, while demonstrations took place to protest against a film against Islam. “While fully recognising the need for freedom of expression, we believe in the importance of respect for all prophets, whatever the religion to which they belong”, they added (our translation throughout).
The representatives also condemned the attacks against diplomatic missions, saying that the offensive word cannot be satisfied by violent acts because that would only lead to the creation of a spiral of brutality. The politicians called for an end to the violence, for peace and restraint, and the promotion of dialogue and mutual understanding. (CG/transl.fl)