Kidnappings only seek to strengthen French Government's hand on articles of faith ban- Euro MP
August 31, 2004 5:36 PM
The kidnapping of two French journalists by Iraqi Militants is a major setback for the campaign to end the ban on articles of faith, according to Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne.
The West Midlands Euro-MP, who has collected 4000 signatures on her petition against the ban, condemned the kidnappings and urged them to release the journalists immediately.
Speaking today she said:
"I welcome the fact that many Muslim women yesterday demonstrated against the ban on articles of faith in the streets of Paris. I also welcome the news that several French Sikh schoolboys have said they will defy this ban. This is the correct way to demonstrate your feelings against an unjust law not to threaten or blackmail, which we should all totally condemn.
"The group calling itself 'Islamic Army in Iraq' however have now made it almost impossible for the French Government to repeal this act in the near future. They must have known that Western Governments have a policy of not negotiating with terrorists and any move now to change policy would be seen by many as giving in to terrorists.
"France should repeal this act not because of terrorists blackmail but because it is wrong. It contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights, which states that anyone has the right to religious freedom. All faiths should unite against this law, that is the way democracies fight unfair laws and this way we can show the terrorists that it is peace not violence that works."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Liz Lynne MEP is a member of the European Parliament Human Rights Committee.
The French ban on articles of faith, comes in to effect next Monday when French pupils return to school. It bans pupils from wearing articles of faith and regulates them in the workplace.
The ban is in contradiction to Article 9 of the European Convention Human Rights and Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Article 9, European Convention Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion…Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others."
Article 10, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom….to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance."
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