Geert Wilders embattled Dutch PVV leader The International Free Press Society http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Defend Geert Wilders and Freedom of Speech
For more information, contact: lhedegaard@freepressmonitor.com Lars Hedegaard President, IFPS
dwest@freepressmonitor.com Diana West Vice President (301) 466-0248
January 22, 2009 - Washington, DC and Copenhagen, Denmark: A Dutch court yesterday ordered the criminal prosecution of Geert Wilders, Dutch parliamentarian and leader of the Freedom Party (PVV), for his statements - written, spoken and filmed -regarding Islam. The Amsterdam Court of Appeals has deemed such statements "insulting," declaring that they "substantially harm the religious esteem" of Muslims.
Clearly, the effect of this Dutch court order is to set new limits to public debate in Dutch society, in this case about the highly controversial but nonetheless crucially important subject of Islam. This makes the prosecution of Geert Wilders an unacceptable breach of the sanctity of freedom of speech in Western society.
Having ordered a criminal prosecution for the opinions of a duly elected leader of a legitimate political party, Dutch authorities have dealt a devastating blow to political expression. While Dutch prosecutors prepare their indictment and Geert Wilders' future hangs in limbo, who in The Netherlands will dare discuss political and cultural matters related to Islam - Islamic law, Islamic integration, Islamic crime, Islamic policy - openly, freely and fearlessly? The chilling effect is instantaneous. If, indeed, Wilders is ultimately convicted, free speech will cease to exist in the heart of Europe.
The International Free Press Society believes this court-ordered prosecution against Geert Wilders, a central figure in the fight against the Islamization of the West, amounts to a dangerous concession to the strictures of Islamic law, which prohibits all criticism of Islam, over Western traditions of, and rights to robust and unfettered debate. As such, it is tantamount to a surrender to totalitarian influences that undermine all Western freedoms. And as such, it must be resisted.
It is important to recall recent history. Two Dutchmen, Pim Fortuyn and Theo van Gogh, have been murdered for their outspoken opposition to Islamization in The Netherlands. Another Dutch politician, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, has been infamously forced into exile. Wilders alone now carries this debate over Islam in Dutch society forward - forcefully but logically, outspokenly but reasonably, and always peacefully. In order to do so, this member of Dutch parliament lives in a virtual prison, consigned to 24-hour guard by Islamic death threats against his life. Now, Dutch authorities have ordered him to be prosecuted for the Orwellian crime of committing "insulting" words.
As Wilders puts it, "If I have to stand trial, I will not stand trial alone, but also with the hundreds of thousands of Dutch people who reject the Islamization of The Netherlands." He will also stand trial with those in The Netherlands and beyond who reject government prosecutions of free speech. In recognition of this this dire situation, the IFPS immediately calls on every supporter of free speech to come to the aid of Geert Wilders.To assist in this effort, the IFPS has launched an international campaign in defense of Geert Wilders and his freedom of speech.
To support these efforts, we urge you to contribute to the Geert Wilders Defense Fund. Donation information can be found at the IFPS website at www.internationalfreepresssociety.org
We also urge defenders of free speech to sign this letter of protest against the Dutch Government http://www.petitiononline.com/wilders/petition.html
Lars Hedegaard President of the IFPS lhedegaard@freepressmonitor.com Diana West Vice President dwest@freepressmonitor.com
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The International Free Press Society was established on January 1, 2009.
Read our Policy Statement here http://www.sappho.dk/the-international-free-press-society-policy-statement.htm
The IFPS Board of Advisors
Asger Aamund Bat Ye'or Stephen Coughlin Rachel Ehrenfeld David Harris Ole Hasselbalch Hans Jansen Ehsan Jami Ibn Warraq Philippe Karsenty Roger Kimball Ezra Levant Andrew C. McCarthy Nidra Poller Kathy Shaidle Roger Scruton Robert Spencer Mark Steyn Allen West Geert Wilders
The IFPS Board of Directors Lars Hedegaard, President Diana West, Vice President Christine Brim. Secretary Bjorn Larsen, Treasurer Edward May, Outreach Coordinator Paul Belien, Sergeant at Arms
posted by David Ben-Ariel at 10:07 PM on Jan 24, 2009
"Defend Geert Wilders and Freedom of Speech"
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