Cairo: 05/02/2006

HRAAP and APRO condemn a series of cartoons depicting Prophet Mohamed in a negative, hateful and racist fashion at pretext of freedom of expression, and ascertain that the international covenants that recognized this freedom rejects stressed on the rejection of freedom abuses to encourage religious hatred and targeting religious beliefs

HRAAP and APRO declare worriedly and anxiously their strong condemn a series of cartoons depicting Prophet Mohamed in a negative, hateful and racist fashion at pretext of freedom of expression, and ascertain their rejection to what was published by Danish newspaper (Jyllands-Posten) including pictures and comments abusing the Prophet Mohamed; additionally, a Norwegian newspaper and some European newspapers republished these pictures and comments challenging the entire Islamic world. This pictures and comments received strong denouncement from about a milliard and three hundred million Muslims all over the world following reactions from the side of some Arab and Muslim governments that withdrew their ambassadors or calling the ambassadors of Norway and Denmark; this campaign also turned to the boycott of all the products of the Danish, Norwegian and other European countries that published these pictures.

In addition, HRAAP and APRO declare their amazement and refusal of the position of the western countries especially Denmark and Norway to this problem justifying that what happened relates to the principle of freedom of expression which is considered improper justification because that has nothing to do with freedom of expression as these depictions seek to disdain clearly Islam and Prophet Mohamed.;in addition, the two organizations stressed on the freedom of expression mentioned in many international covenants and agreements that have to be protected. These covenants and agreements stressed that it is not allowed to provoke national, racial and religious hatred that can be considered incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence, according to what is mentioned in article 20 of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights following article 19 of the same covenant that stressed on freedom of expression.

The West reaction to this problem was very amazing as they passed laws and legislations prohibiting and criminalizing any type of expression that represents assault against Jewish beliefs, so, with greater reason, it is necessary that these governments have to criminalize these deeds and intensify punishment especially Muslims represent more than one fifth of world people. So, HRAAP and APRO call upon all civil society organizations in the Arab, Islamic and international world to fight against these strong wave of hatred and scorn.

In addition, APRO and HRAAP draw the attention of the Arab and Islamic governments that what has happened is not separate incident concluding with only the apology of newspapers or the governments; however, what has happened expresses the point of view of the western communities on the Muslim people in the absence of real media channels enabling us to show the true Muslim and reveals that he is not a savage or primitive who always holds bombs or knives and he is not the synonym of a terrorist. Boycott, releases of condemnation and withdrawal of ambassadors may be enough  to receive apology but it never brings benefits in changing the picture of Muslims and the Arab in the West

Human Rights Association for the Assistance of Prisoners HRAAP