He has called the decision to prosecute him for making a film about this view ‘an attack on the freedom of expression’.
In that he is right.
Geert Wilders called the Qur'an a ‘fascist book’. A viewpoint, one could easily find many quotes towards beheading, Islam being the only way, to not tolerate infidels, jihad etc but I shall not list them here. That has been done before and at great length by many others
Yet despite Islam encompassing many peoples, languages and separate cultures they define this as a hate crime? Against whom exactly?
The EU claims on the one hand to "enshrine the principle of freedom of expression in its Charter on Human Rights", so why can not the Koran be criticised in book or film the same that media folk have poked fun at Christians.
The court's three judges took a different view of matters saying they had weighed Mr Wilders' ‘anti-Islamic rhetoric’ against his right to free speech, and they have ruled he has gone ‘beyond the normal leeway given to politicians’. By attacking the symbols of the Muslim religion, they say ‘he also insulted Muslim believers’.
The judges have said that while the Netherlands is ‘generally liberal’, they are ‘making an exception in the case of Wilders' comments about Islam’. Their statement is illuminating: ‘The court considers appropriate criminal prosecution for insulting Muslim worshippers because of comparisons between Islam and Nazism made by Wilders.’
It states on his Wikipedia page that:
Wilders is under constant security protection because of frequent threats to his life
He says online:
"Who will stand up for our culture if I am silenced?"
Maybe the judges are forgetting the not so distant past, if it is a crime to compare Islam & Nazi's then is it also a crime to remind people how moslems took up arms for Hitler.
Here we see Amin Al Husseini who set up the SS Muslim Hanzar Division. Yes muslims fighting on the side of a certain Mr Hitler.
Some links: http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/
Brussels Journal has the inside story here:
A quote from the press release of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, 21 January 2009
The Court of Appeal has considered that the contested views of Wilders (also as shown in his movie Fitna) constitute a criminal offence according to Dutch law as seen in connection with each other, both because of their contents and the method of presentation. This method of presentation is characterized by biased, strongly generalizing phrasings with a radical meaning, ongoing reiteration and an increasing intensity, as a result of which hate is created. According to the Court of Appeal most statements are insulting as well since these statements substantially harm the religious esteem of the Islamic worshippers. According to the Court of Appeal Wilders has indeed insulted the Islamic worshippers themselves by affecting the symbols of the Islamic belief as well.
Secondly, the Court of Appeal has answered the question whether a possible criminal prosecution or conviction would be admissible according to the norms of the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court based thereon, which considers the freedom of expression of paramount importance. The Court of Appeal has concluded that the initiation of a criminal prosecution and a possible conviction later on as well, provided that it is proportionate, does not necessarily conflict with the freedom of expression of Wilders, since statements which create hate and grief made by politicians, taken their special responsibility into consideration, are not permitted according to European standards either.
Thirdly, the Court of Appeal has answered the question whether criminal prosecution of Wilders because of his statements would be opportune in the Dutch situation (the question of opportunity). According to the Court of Appeal the instigation of hatred in a democratic society constitutes such a serious matter that a general interest is at stake in order to draw a clear boundary in the public debate.
As regards the insult of a group the Court of Appeal makes a distinction. In general the Court determines that the traditional Dutch culture of debating is based on tolerance of each other's views to a large extent while Islamic immigrants may be expected to have consideration for the existing sentiments in the Netherlands as regards their belief, which is partly at odds with Dutch and European values and norms. As regards insulting statements the Court of Appeal prefers the political, public and other legal counter forces rather than the criminal law, as a result of which an active participation to the public debate, by Moslems as well, is promoted.
However, the Court of Appeal makes an exception as regards insulting statements in which a connection with Nazism is made (for instance by comparing the Koran with "Mein Kampf"). The Court of Appeal considers this insulting to such a degree to a community of Islamic worshippers that a general interest is deemed to be present in order to prosecute Wilders because of this.
A press release from the Dutch Freedom Party, The Hague, January 21, 2009:
The Freedom Party (PVV) is shocked by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal’s decision to prosecute Geert Wilders for his statements and opinions. Geert Wilders considers this ruling an all-out assault on freedom of speech.
Geert Wilders: “Apparently this is The Netherlands today. If you speak out you might be prosecuted. To participate in public debate has become a dangerous activity.”
“If I have to appear in court, not only I will be prosecuted, but also hundreds of thousands of Dutch citizens who reject the Islamisation of the West. In Dutch Parliament only the Party for Freedom is willing to speak up for the preservation of our culture and our many freedoms.”
The Freedom Party leader now faces legal proceedings that will probably take years to conclude and will also involve enormous legal fees.
“We depend on small donations. The Freedom Party is the only party in Parliament that does not accept any government funding. This court decision jeopardizes the very existence of the Freedom Party. We simply cannot afford the enormous legal expenses.”
“This is a black day for freedom.”
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.
“If I have to stand trial, I will not be alone, stand trial alone, but also with the hundreds of thousands of Dutch people who reject the Islamization of the Netherlands, Their opinion is only represented in The Hague [parliament] by the Party for Freedom. Who else will stand for our culture when I have to remain silent? This strengthens me in these harsh days,”The petition.
4 people have spoken:
anyone up for a protest at the Dutch Embassy?
we owe this man our support.
urban11
Good for you, Fido!
Let's make the bastards understand that it's no longer a little local affair that can be conveniently swept under the rug.
Either we stand and fight--or we hand over the West to these primitive fuckers for hundreds of years.
Nothing else, NOTHING else matters more than this.
KG, I for one don't want Europe to sink into the hands of Islamobarbarians.
Just look what happened to the civilized peoples of Spain when the savages of the Moorish Africa raped, burned and oppressed all freedom for hundreds of years.
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This is BIG, this is REAL BIG! SPREAD THE WORD to the world everyone! The EU Mandarins have crossed the line! If this goes to court, how much more of the public will become aware of this tyranny?
All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. If there is no freedom of speech, then there can be no real freedom.
The Christians and Jews don’t riot when somebody makes fun of Christ or Jews. People must learn to be civilized, and held to account when they are not. Muslims included.
Geert Wilders is a hero spreading the painful truth. He MUST be protected!
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here’s an absurd thought -
your Supreme God knows
Christ was a pedophile
and a raping terrorist
converting slaves by the sword
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
weak and insecure is BEST
the best way for religion
KILL those who question it
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absurd thought -
God of the Universe wants
Islam for everyone
submit to glorious life
slavery and servitude
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
outlaw self-defense
exposing violent crimes
shall be deemed hate speech
.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
decide to change your race
just simply change religions
your religion is your race
.
All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech there can be no real freedom.
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Philosophy of Liberty Cartoon
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Help Halt Terrorism Today!
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USpace
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:)
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