"Religious freedom is a litmus test for the respect of all other freedoms and human rights, and the persecution of the Christians across the world is one of today’s fiercest challenges to the dignity of man". Mario Mauro, deputy president of the European Parliament, was the promoter of the resolution, passed yesterday by the plenary meeting in Strasbourg, called "Serious episodes that endanger the existence of Christian communities and other religious communities". The text was submitted by the People’s Party, the Socialist Party, the Liberal-Democrat Party, the Uen (right wing), Independence and Democracy, the Gue (pro-European left wing). The text, the first one of such proportions, condemns all the deeds of violence committed against the Christian communities, especially in Asia and Africa, and asks the governments of the countries concerned to "provide for adequate and effective guarantees in the area of religious freedom and to improve security for the Christian communities". In supporting inter-religious dialogue, he invites the religious authorities to "promote tolerance" and take measures against any form of extremism. (continued)
