Thought for the Week

W/C 19th January 2015

This term we are focussing on Human Rights

This week we are looking at the right to freedom of opinion and expression

What has happened in Paris recently?

What’s the story?

Masked men armed with assault rifles and a rocket launcher entered the office of the magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris on 7 January and opened fire on the publication’s journalists and cartoonists. The editor, a cartoonist known as Charb, was killed, along with seven other members of the Charlie Hebdo staff, a visitor to the offices and a member of maintenance staff. Two police officers, including Charb's protective detail, were also killed.

Why was Charlie Hebdo attacked?

It is thought that the attack on Charlie Hebdo was motivated by the magazine's decision to publish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. It has caused offence with cartoons in the past: in 2011 it published work that depicted the Prophet Muhammad with gruesomely exaggerated facial features. The Charlie Hebdo headquarters were attacked by a firebomb shortly afterwards

What are the human rights at stake?

The attack upon Charlie Hebdo has prompted a fierce debate on the nature of freedom of the press. The French public have reacted strongly in favour of the magazine’s right to publish their cartoons, arguing that the terrorists should not be affect freedom of the press. Support for the magazine and its belief in freedom of expression has been shown on social media with the hashtag #jesuisCharlie.

Some Muslim figures, however, while condemning the massacre, have insisted that as depicting Muhammad is forbidden in their religion, publications should have more respect for their cultural concerns. Some argue that the human right not to be persecuted collides with Charlie Hebdo’s publishing practices. While not justifying the attacks in any way, this offers some explanation as to why some Muslims in France might be offended by the magazine’s content.

Discussion

1) Why is it important to have freedom to express yourself?

2) Does this mean that you can say whatever you want?

3) What shouldn’t you be allowed to say?