Morocco 11 November, 2006 European Parliament Liberal leader Graham Watson stated that Freedom of speech is a right but not necessarily a duty. It should, however, be expressed responsibly and not be compromised, he stated. The statement was made during Liberal International’s 54th Congress in Marrakech, Morocco, which hosted over 500 delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Graham Watson went on to point out how, at different stages of development of each civilisation, freedom of speech is sometimes denied.
He said:
‘Refugees from the Catholic inquisition in Europe sought refuge in Islamic societies like that in Cordoba, or later in Istanbul. However, today, it is the Islamic societies which often deny freedom of speech.’
Lars Erslev Andersen, associate professor in history and Middle East studies at the University of Southern Denmark, who spoke on the panel, stated that what began with a private newspaper’s controversial illustration suddenly erupted into a massive condemnation directed toward Denmark. He pointed to three issues that surrounded the cartoon incident, and said:
‘The reason for such a backlash and misunderstanding lies in the cultural clash between the rich, secular West and the poor, religious and traditional Muslim world. Closely connected to this lie the increasing problems for authoritarian regimes in the Muslim world to fight fundamentalism and anti-Western opposition, which are becoming increasingly popular.’
The Congress also discussed terrorism, torture, the responsibility to protect against genocide closed states and the international agenda as well as nuclear energy.
