Global expectations

Rights that are being violated across the globe, human trafficking, protecting religious minorities. The plenary meeting of the European Parliament held January 18-21 in Strasbourg, addressed a number of problematic situations which call the EU into question as a player on the international scenario. Protecting the freedom of religion. MEPs addressed data released by Europol indicating an increase in human trafficking for sexual exploitation (80% of whom are women but also minors), and expressed the need to step up legislation and the powers of public authorities. MEPs agreed that the prostitutes’ “clients” must face prosecutions, in order to uproot human trafficking. MEPs thus addressed various cases of human, social and political rights violations in the world, notably Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Turkey (the Kurdish question), Egypt and Malaysia. In these two countries in particular, Christian minorities have been the object of repeated assaults. A resolution endorsed with large majority-vote by all political groups states that the freedom of thought, of conscience and religion represent a “fundamental human right, guaranteed by international legal instruments”. For this reason the European Parliament “strongly condemns all kinds of violence, discrimination and intolerance, based on religion and belief, against religious people, apostates and non-believers”. In the document it is also remarked that “Europe is not exempt from cases of violation” of religious freedom. MEPs urge the Council, the Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the EU to pay “particular attention to the situation of religious minorities, including Christian communities” in the framework of the relation and the cooperation of the EU with Third Countries. Attacks against Christians in Egypt and Malaysia. To this regard the Parliament supports, “all initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and mutual respect between communities”, and calls on all religious authorities “to promote tolerance and to take initiatives against hatred and violent and extremist radicalization”. The resolution for the protection of religious freedom in Europe and in the world dwells upon two national realities. Firstly, it is remarked, in recent years “there have been recurrent acts of violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt”, to whom MEPs express their “solidarity”. The EP calls on the Egyptian Government “to ensure the personal safety and physical integrity of Coptic Christians and of members of other religious minorities in the country” and to promote initiatives that will enable such groups “to enjoy the full range of human rights and fundamental freedoms – including the right to choose and change their religion freely – and to prevent any discrimination against them”. The resolution conveys “deep concern about the recent attacks against churches and places of worship in Malaysia and solidarity with the victims”. It also calls upon Malaysian authorities to ensure the personal safety and physical integrity of people practising their religion. It calls on Malaysian authorities “to respect the ruling of Malaysia’s High Court that Christians in Malaysia have the constitutional right to use the word ‘Allah’ to refer to God and not to seek to reinstate the ban”. Iran, sanctions or political dialogue? A lively debate took place on the case of Iran to the presence of Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. MEPs referred to “violent suppression of demonstrations”, “arbitrary detentions”, to the “regime’s use of violence” against the population and the lack of cooperation regarding the nuclear program. “The level of education of women is high, there is a capacity for public debate and the young population is vibrant and active.” Conversely, continued the British MEP, “the threat to this society has been reflected in the turmoil that followed what many in Iran saw as a fraudulent election last year”. Teheran’s regime “does not respect international norms and standards on civil and political rights”. In this respect the EU must spare no opportunity to ask the Iranian government to respect those international obligations. Spanish MEP Ignacio Salafranca, member of the EEP political group, proposed the possibility “to adopt further sanctions against Iran”. The President of the EP delegation for Relations with Iran Barbara Lochbihler, member of the Green party, from Germany, claimed, “Further sanctions would only damage society and would not lead to a change in political leadership”. Rather, “political dialogue is needed” along with ongoing vigilance on the front of human rights and security.