The crisis, which existed after Prophet Mohammad’s caricature in a Danish Daily News and spread to many European and all Islamic countries, exceeded question for “freedom of expression” and reached threatening point against respect for peace in the world and human rights and freedoms.
In democratic societies, human rights and freedoms are the uttermost values that should be protected. Especially, “freedom of expression and media” is an indispensable value of a free and democratic society.
On the other hand rights for freedoms, as a necessity of democratic society, should have a measured attitude and respect, concern values that are regarded as sacred by others. When two basic rights are discussed, there should be a balance between conflicted interests: one is right of propaganda of any kind of religions, the second is right of respect for others’ opinions, freedom of religious belief. In other words; in democratic societies’ a balance among values, which should be protected, is compulsory.
Regarding these points; Prophet Mohammad’s caricatures, which published in some newspaper of Europe, could not be accepted as “freedom of expression and media”. These caricatures degrade and injure values that are regarded as sacred by millions people, who are members of Islam. It is not possible to accept the publishing of these caricatures, which caused millions people to regard themselves degraded, as one necessity of democratic society. In some decisions of European Courts of Human Rights also state that expressions, article and publications, which degrade others’ religious values, cannot be evaluated under the freedom of expression (media). (e.g. Otto-Preminger-Institut Austrian Decision).
Transforming caricature problem into a “campaign” on behalf of supporting “freedom of expression/media” in many European countries is increasing the seriousness of the situation. This attitude caused both recede from European society for Muslims “alienate these people” and damage for tolerance and peace atmosphere among cultures. Pluralism, which is one of the basic characteristics of the contemporary democratic society, depends on differences’ living together within peace. Therefore avoid from any action, which causes damage for differences’ living together, is a duty for everyone.
However; belligerence and violence as a reaction against caricatures cannot be regarded as rightful, too. Moreover, heading reactions to one country or transforming them into hostility against western society are also unacceptable. Attacks on embassies of some European countries, firing them up, calling for violence against people and foundations of these countries, threaten these people caused fears in all over the world. These actions caused concerns about damage for world’s peace.
In order not to damage world’s peace more and more, not cause for disrespectfulness we are waiting and wishing that parties will behave in responsible manner, avoid actions (which increase tension), not practice and not call for violence.