By Vestnik Kavkaza
A demonstration against religious cartoons took place in Grozny on Monday. Residents of all North Caucasus republics came to the meeting “Love for Prophet Muhammad.” A day before it took place, 15 thousand people participated in a meeting “Islam against Terrorism and Extremism” in Ingushetia.
Yesterday Sergei Lavrov, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russia, stated that such cartoons are vulgar; he stressed that publication of such materials was unacceptable and insulting, as well as the severe reaction to it – terrorist attacks. Both of them contradict moral norms and international laws. “Terrorism is unacceptable in any form, notwithstanding its reasons and covers. This is an international legal position and it is confirmed by numerous resolutions by the Security Council. Terrorism cannot be justified,” Lavrov said.
“The international legal situation is described by several conventions, including the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It says that any standing for ethnic, racial or religious hatred, which provokes discrimination, fighting or violence, should be forbidden by the law,” Sergei Lavrov stressed.He noted that freedom of speech required not only rights, but also huge responsibility and obligations to follow the law.
“The Covenant also reads that the right to free expression of opinion requires certain duties and special responsibility. The right could be combined with some restrictions which should be fixed by the law; they are necessary for respecting the rights and reputation of other people, for state security, public order, health, and the morality of the population. So, when my colleagues say that there are no restrictions of freedom of speech, I cannot agree with them. There are restrictions, and they directly concern the prevention of statements which stir up religious conflicts.”
Meanwhile, according to Vitaly Naumkin, the director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, “the developments in France encouraged further radicalization of Islamic movements and the growth of misunderstanding, crises in relations between the world of Islam and the West. It is not only about different values, as it can be overcome. One could live in a society where people have different lifestyles. Finally, in Russia we have people who have different lifestyles. We live this way, people in Grozny live that way. For example, there is no alcohol prohibition in Moscow. People can live according to different values, and live in peace. I think Russia sets an example of very constructive cooperation and mutual enrichment of cultures.”
Naumkin thinks that publication of the cartoons is a thoughtless step which is aimed at spoiling relations between Christianity and Islam, between the West and the Islamic world. “If they carry on that way and provoke radicalization instead of normalization of relations, it will be a very negative process. Radicalization also worsens the situation in Syria where Islamic State operates, where radicals exist. I think they are happy with what is happening in the West today, as it helps them to recruit new supporters, mobilize people against immorality and insulting of religious feelings. And this is the fault of a few people who act irresponsibly.”
