Thursday, October 7, 2010

Freedom of Expression on Trial

Is what Fitna says about Islam and the Qur'an accurate? See here. But it is not clear in the Wilders show trial whether or not truth is an adequate defense. "Court views anti-Islam film in Wilders hate speech trial," from AP, October 6:

The hate speech trial of politician Geert Wilders has resumed with judges viewing his anti-Islam film "Fitna," which juxtaposes Koranic verses and images of violence, and offended many Muslims worldwide when it was released in 2008.

Of course, those Muslims were not offended when Islamic jihadists juxtaposed Qur'anic verses with violence by committing violent acts and justifying them by reference to those Qur'an verses.

Wilders is charged with inciting hatred against Muslims via "Fitna" and in dozens of public remarks comparing Islam to Fascism, calling for a ban on Muslim immigration and for a ban on the Koran. In one opinion piece he wrote "I've had enough of Islam in the Netherlands; let not one more Muslim immigrate," adding "I've had enough of the Koran in the Netherlands: Forbid that fascist book."
Wilders argued on Monday that he has a right to freedom of speech and that his remarks were within the bounds of the law.
"I am a suspect here because I have expressed my opinion as a representative of the people," Wilders told judges at the start of the trial.
"Formally I'm on trial here today, but with me, the freedom of expression of many, many Dutch people is also being judged," he said, referring to more than 1.4 million voters who made his party the country's third-largest in June elections....

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