The cartoons are the last symbolic straw that breaks the camel’s back
The widespread protests against Denmark are an unmistakable sign that the political course of Denmark and the West must change fundamentally. The protests are to be seen in the context of the political atmosphere in general – and particularly in light of Western policy in the Muslim part of the world. The cartoons are but the last symbolic straw that breaks the camel’s back.
During several years xenophobic views have been given more and more space in Denmark’s public debate. All around the world, Denmark has become known as a country with very negative attitudes to immigrants and refugees. It is in this context that the publication by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten of the 12 cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad should be seen. the paper explaining this on the grounds that Muslims should be prepared to put up with ”insult, derision and ridicule” (quoted from the article in the paper introducing the cartoons).
Jyllands-Posten expressed this xenophobic line on the pretext that they were defending the freedom of expression. It is obvious that the publication of the cartoons clearly falls within the boundaries of freedom of expression. However, Jyllands-Posten manages this freedom in a deeply irresponsible way. The Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen and his Government should have dissociated themselves clearly and unequivocally from the aim of the cartoons. This could have averted the crisis.
Fogh Rasmussen’s initial assertion that such action would dispute the unreserved freedom of expression of Jyllands-Posten was a diversion from his real responsibility. Instead of acting responsibly, the Prime Minister chose to appeal to xenophobic currents within the Danish population by only defending the freedom of expression of Jyllands-Posten. He did not address the content of the cartoons in any way. As part of this pandering to xenophobic attitudes, the Prime Minister arrogantly chose to reject a meeting with the ambassadors from a number of Muslim countries. To reject a meeting is unheard of when the ambassadors of other countries make such a request.
During several months the Prime Minister explained his rejection by claiming that the ambassadors had demanded of him to intervene with the newspaper. Recently, it has been revealed that the ambassadors wished to enter into dialogue with him against the background of the harsh debate in Denmark on the issue of immigrants and refugees, not least by the rightwing Danish People’s Party. The cartoons were only one of several points mentioned by them in their letter. By rejecting to meet with the ambassadors, the Prime Minister chose confrontation instead of dialogue and is therefore responsible for deepening the crisis.
The cartoons have become a symbol of how many Muslims see themselves treated in Denmark, and in other parts of the world:
- Muslims are exposed to hatred,
- wars are waged in Iraq and Afghanistan, and
- Western countries support Israel, whereas Palestinians are humiliated and denied a state of their own.
Accordingly, Western conduct is part of the background for the massive protests among Muslims. These protests have comprised quite legitimate forms of expression, including the boycott of goods, which is annoying, but a peaceful and acceptable means of expression, contrary to the unacceptable threats against persons and the burning of embassies. In several countries the massive show of protests can also be seen as a reaction to dictatorial and incompetent regimes, which have often been installed by the West and are allies of the USA or other Western countries.
Resolving this crisis will be a huge task, even when the demonstrations against Denmark have subsided.
Right now the Danish Government must take the consequences of the cartoons and its failed and humiliating asylum and migration policies. The Government must take steps to promote reconciliation with the minorities in this country affected by these policies, Muslims and others. Such an admission of fact and such an initiative would signal to the rest of the world that we take this problem seriously and that we will do something about it.
The Government must take the initiative in abolishing the discriminatory laws affecting immigrants and asylum seekers, as for example the prohibition of marriage and the introduction of an exceptionally low social security benefit. There is also a need to legislate to secure equality between all religions.
To be able to ensure such a development the Government will have to distance itself from the policies and rhetoric of the Danish People’s Party with regard to immigrants and refugees. At the same time we call upon Muslims to dissociate themselves from extreme fundamentalist Islamic positions and from those proposing violent retribution in the name of Islam. This would be the start of establishing a debate on immigrants and refugees, which would not be restricted to the circles of the most extreme forces on the Danish right wing and among Muslims.
Globally there is a need for
- a speedy end to the occupation of Iraq. Denmark must withdraw its troops immediately from Iraq and Afghanistan,
- new and efficient steps to secure the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own,
- fundamental changes of world trade so that the poorest countries, among them some of the Muslim countries, can improve their chances to create an independent economic development, and
- increased support to strengthen the development of democracy in Arab and other countries, as opposed to the Western propping up of reactionary regimes as the one in Saudi Arabia.
The National Executive of Enhedslisten/the Red-Green Alliance
February 12, 2006