 Facebook |  Tell a Friend |  Twitter |  RSS Feed |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
|
Wilders challenges court hearingWednesday 13 January 2010 Anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders was in court in Amsterdam on Wednesday in a last-ditch attempt to head off part of next week's court case against him for inciting hatred against Muslims. Wilders' lawyer Bram Moszkowicz told reporters outside the court that Wilders hopes the court will decide that he should not be prosecuted for 'collective insult' - or targeting a particular group of people on the basis of their race or nationality. Wilders has always stated that he is targeting Islam, not Muslims themselves. Wednesday's appeal follows a decision by the public prosecution service to also charge the PVV party leader with inciting hatred against Muslims, Moroccans and non-Western immigrants, the Volkskrant reports. Wilders already faced general charges of inciting hatred and discrimination. Complicated Moszkowicz referred to a case last March in which the high court ruled a poster with the words 'stop the tumour that is Islam' cannot be construed as insulting an entire group of people on the grounds of their religion. The extra charge is based on Wilders' statement that 'the borders will close that same day to all non-western immigrants', the paper said. The statement appears to refer to Wilders' plans if he became prime minister. 'Wilders always says he is attacking Islam, not Muslims,' lawyer Haroon Raza told the paper. 'But Wilders is not only talking about Muslims but non-Western immigrants, or people with different coloured skin.' Leaving the court, Wilders told reporters: 'Freedom of speech is under pressure. The legal system in North Korea is better then in the Netherlands.' Journalists were not allowed in the court complex until Wilders had left the building. The formal case against Wilders opens on January 20. © DutchNews.nl Get the DutchNews.nl newsletter in your mailbox: Click here to subscribe
Criticism of any religion - be it Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism - can be permissible under the fundamental right to freedom of speech. But Wilder’s speeches are aggravated form of criticism made with a malicious and deliberate intention to outrage the feelings of Muslims. His speeches contain rabid contents reeking of hatred for a particular community and malafide exercise to stir communal passions. Speeches like these are likely to incite people to violence and may promote violence, enmity or hatred. By Fred | January 13, 2010 10:02 PM Netherlands needs to get rid of Mr.Geert Wilders politics of polarization,its in the interest of our society as well as for the image of our country. By no means this party should be allowed to hurt peace and unity among the citizens. Mr.Wilders only motto is to become prime minister even its at the cost of national security!! I am sure our courts are going to up-hold our constitution especially Article 1.He will try his best to take advantage of this situation and its the duty of all of us to defeat him democratically by using lawful means. Lijsttrekker Nederlandse Moslim Partij Den Haag. By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | January 13, 2010 11:38 PM Why should national security be at any risk? Will the innocent people of the country be at risk of attacks by suicide bombers and terrorists just because the prime minister criticizes Islam? If that's the case you're just making his claim more valid. By Michelangelo | January 14, 2010 1:11 PM Wilders is now learning his lessons in politics. He undoubtedly has many followers due to his persuasive political talent, not to mention the growing number of racists in the NL. So long that religion minds it's own business, and does not intervene within govt., let it be.. If some people thrive on Byzantium bronze beliefs, that is their choice, let them continue...we cannot argue with blind faith, as it hears not reality, only dogma... By stevie | January 14, 2010 10:44 PM Michelangelo,thanks for your comments.My answer to your question is:since the unfortunate incidents of 9/11 and then response of the United States and her allies have resulted in to bloodshed in Iraq and ongoing War Against Terrorism in Afghanistan/Pakistan (again civilian casualities are in increasing everyday).This all have made our world peace extremely vulnerable,especially because of people like George Bush,Dick Cheney,Tony Blair,Mr.Jan Peter Balkenende(according to recent inquiry commission's report on Iraq). Mr.Wilders have only one agenda and that is: Islam Bashing (which is creating hate and apartheid in our society,please follow the Dutch Courts where he is facing charges on this)his success would create a chaos and civil war like situation,which ultimately will hurt all of us. Please think if Mr.Wilders becomes the prime minister,in that case what will happen to our country at the international level,do you think any peace loving country would invite him for a visit,think about the bilateral relations of the Netherlands and the Middle East where we have strong economic interests. I have nothing against him personal,but his politics of polarization and populist ideology is something where I would love to confront him because We all living in this beautiful country wants to live with peace and harmony! By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | January 17, 2010 12:12 PM |
| RSS | | | Advertising | | | Business services | | | Mobile | | | Friends | | | Contact | | | About us | | | Tell a Friend |
|
Friday: Sunny spells and max 19 º with showers possible in far north. A sunny, dry weekend
Christopher Caldwell's recent book says it all. Reality bites!
By Janka | January 13, 2010 10:01 PM