B4-0251, 0277, 0306 and 0313/94

Resolution on attacks against intellectuals, artists and journalists by fundamentalist terror groups

The European Parliament,

A.concerned at the threats made by fundamentalist groups against the novelist Ms Taslima Nasreen and alarmed by the fatwa issued against her,

B.shocked that ministries in the French Government originally limited to one day the visa for the Bangladeshi writer Ms Taslima Nasreen,

C.aware that this incident is only one example of numerous obstacles European authorities are putting forward in order to avoid public support for individuals being persecuted by fundamentalist-ruled states or fundamentalist terror groups,

D.alarmed at the increasing number of attacks on the freedoms of expression and creation in the southern Mediterranean countries by certain fundamentalist groups, and noting that among this sequence of attacks must be counted the killings and kidnappings of journalists and intellectuals in Algeria, such as Cheb Hasni, Lunes Matub, Tayeb Bonterfif and Ziane Farrah,

E.expressing its indignation and consternation at the attack on the Egyptian Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Mr Naguib Mahfouz,

F.warning of the danger of encouraging terrorism if the EU and its Member States do not have a coordinated policy on this problem,

G.recalling its resolutions on the case of Mr Salman Rushdie,

H.recalling its resolution on the Sivas massacre in Turkey,

1.Calls on the Council of Ministers to adopt a common policy on the reception in the EU of individuals threatened by terrorism, whether instigated by a government, as in the case of Mr Rushdie, or by religious or political fanatics acting independently, as in the case of Ms Nasreen, or using religion as justification for terrorist acts;

2.Insists that any common EU policy in this matter must reflect the highest standards of civilization in defending liberty of thought and expression and in according asylum to the persecuted;

3.Reiterates its severe condemnation of the fatwa pronounced against Ms Taslima Nasreen, and deplores the fact that no Member State is prepared to grant her political asylum;

4.Condemns in the strongest terms the attitude of the French authorities who have not given Taslima Nasreen authorization to travel freely, and urges the European Union to redouble its vigilance and take measures to protect her life and freedom of expression;

5.Condemns unequivocally the attack on Mr Naguib Mahfouz, and expresses its total solidarity with both that writer and all the Arab intellectuals who are the targets of fundamentalist groups;

6.Calls on the governments of the Arab countries in the Mediterranean region to take steps to defend the exercise of the freedoms of expression and creation;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and the governments of Algeria, Egypt, Bangladesh and Sweden.