The Association for Human
Rights in Central Asia deeply mourns the victims of violence, carried out by
terrorists in the «Charlie Hebdo» magazine. We feel great sorrow together with
relatives of the victims.
On 7 January 2015 in Paris, in the office of the French satirical magazine
«Charlie Hebdo» (a weekly) 10 employees and 2 policemen were killed. Ten people
were injured, four of them are in critical condition.
Religious belief is a private
matter of an individual, and no one has the right to kill those whose views one
"does not like". If someone does not agree with the position of the
opponent, one can argue orally or in writing, using the right of expression. Shooting
of «Charlie Hebdo» employees is shooting at freedom of speech, a stronghold of
tolerance and democracy.
This act or terror is an
attack on human rights. Paragraph 2 of Article 19 of the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights states: “Everyone
shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom
to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of
frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or
through any other media of his choice”. Protection of this right is one of
the most important tasks of the state. Militant religious fanatics are closely
monitoring the situation in France: Will the leadership of the country do everything
possible to prevent an attack on freedom and civilization? If not - this will
increase the offensive. Cartoons or any other form of freedom of expression would
be just an excuse for an attack.
The Association for Human
Rights in Central Asia condemns the killing and violence. Our team is convinced
that the terrorist attacks only unite us all in faced with the threat of rising
Islamophobia. It should be remembered that peaceful Muslims are not related to
the actions of religious radicals. We express our solidarity with the participants
of mass meetings in defence of human rights and freedom of speech.
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| photo: by
Temur Klichev / AHRCA, 7 January 2015, Paris |
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| photo: by Temur Klichev / AHRCA, 7 January 2015, Paris |
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| photo: by Temur Klichev / AHRCA, 7 January 2015, Paris |
