"Deeply concerned by the multiplication of episodes of intolerance and repression against the Christian communities" in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the EU insists, with the document prepared for this afternoon’s plenary meeting, on the defence "of the principles of free thinking, free conscience, free religion and free worship". Then it insists on "the lay nature of the State and its public bodies" and entrusts them "with protecting such freedoms, including the freedom to change religion". Then the resolution asserts "the importance of dialogue between religions to promote peace and understanding between peoples" and calls the religious leaders to fight against "extremisms and promote mutual respect". Amongst the cases of violence that have been recorded across the world, the resolution recalls some that took place in Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Gaza (Palestinian Territories), Egypt. Then it "deplores" the abduction of the Catholic priest Giancarlo Bossi in the Philippines and the "hard repression of the Catholic Church" in Vietnam. (continued)
