15/04/2008 Session
PACE today asked the Council of Europe member states to take joint action with Muslim communities to combat political extremism invoking the name of Islam. In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Assembly called on governments to combat Islamophobia, take action against hate speech and ensure respect for human rights when enforcing anti-terrorist measures.
On the basis of the report by João Bosco Mota Amaral (Portugal, EPP/CD), the parliamentarians asked European governments to tackle the causes of extremism – discrimination, social exclusion and unequal opportunities – and to promote the integration and the political and civic participation of immigrants and citizens with immigrant backgrounds. In line with the principle of secularism, they said, the state wished to remain neutral towards religions and must be able to offer a framework guaranteeing freedom of religion. For their part, European Muslim organisations and opinion-makers should clearly condemn terrorism and extremism.
“Islamic fundamentalism, which in its worst form calls for the use of violence, is an ideology with a political agenda and promotes a model of society which is not compatible with the values of human rights and democracy on which European states are built”, said Mr Mota Amaral.