MPR Deputy: Macron Should Refer to ECtHR in Terms of Islamic Blasphemy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) deputy, Hidayat Nur Wahid, on Thursday strongly condemns the vile acts in response to the drawing of the Prophet Muhammad but also regrets that French President Emmanuel Macron let the images of the prophet be drawn in the first place. 

Hidayat, in his statement, said that drawing an image of the Prophet cannot be protected under the freedom of expression as he believes this has been addressed in the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). 

“Macron should have put forth the [public interest] by adhering to the verdict by the European human rights court that had deemed religious blasphemy and [slanders] against religious figures to not be considered as freedom of expression,” said Hidayat Nur Wahid on October 29. 

He referred to the case of E.S. versus Austria (2018) held before ECtHR where the court upheld a domestic court's fine on an Austrian woman who had called Muhammad a pedophile.

“In the court verdict, the European Court of Human Rights reports that saying the Prophet Muhammad as a pedophile is a statement that has exceeded the boundaries of freedom of expression,” said Hidayat. 

He also referred to the Soile Lautsi v. Italy (2011) case where the court ruled that the requirement in Italian law that crucifixes be displayed in classrooms of public schools did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights as it is part of cultural heritage in Italy; not just as a religious symbol.

Hidayat believes that respect among religions and religious figures from all sides will actually bring tolerance and fight radicalism and extremism among a plural society. 

Read: France Opens Terror Inquiry into Knife Attack at Church

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