Dutch court orders prosecution of Geert Wilders

In a stunning decision, a Dutch court has ruled that Dutch parliamentarianGeert Wilders has committed criminal “hate speech” due to his public criticismsof Islam, and should be prosecuted. (See the International Free Press Societyrelease below).

When a court takes such a step in a country as “progressive” as theNetherlands, every person who cherishes liberty and the right of free speechshould shudder.

Mr. Wilders has, at the risk of his own life, courageously spoken out againstIslamofascism and everything that comes with it. The decision of the AmsterdamCourt of Appeals is a crushing blow to free speech and a victory for radicalIslamists who are bent on suppressing any public criticism of their ideology.

This is why we keep issuing warnings and action alerts to you about howpolitically correct governmental actions, in league with radical Islam, aremoving us ever closer to the day where we cannot speak out against an evil thathas produced 270 million deaths and caused untold suffering over the past 14centuries.

This is why we must build a powerful, informed and organized citizen actionnetwork that will stand in unity against the evil of Islamofascism and thepolitical correctness that aids and abets it. Whether we are Democrats,Independents or Republicans…conservatives, moderates or liberals…there is nochoice. We cannot allow America to sink to a place where an American prosecutorwould obtain an indictment against a Member of Congress for criticizing Islam.

If you would like to help us further this effort, whether by making acontribution or helping to start or get involved in a local chapter, please logon to www.actforamerica.org today.

While the Dutch court seeks to censor, through unjust criminal prosecution, thekind of political speech that has been the hallmark of free countries, it looksthe other way when radical Muslims in its country call for the death ofinfidels and praise Hitler for what he did to the Jews.

The message is clear. It’s okay for a radical Muslim to call for your death,but don’t you dare criticize the Muslim for doing so.

The International Free Press Society
www.internationalfreepresssociety.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Defend Geert Wilders and Freedomof Speech

January 22, 2009 - Washington, DC and Copenhagen, Denmark: A Dutch courtyesterday ordered the criminal prosecution of Geert Wilders, Dutchparliamentarian and leader of the Freedom Party (PVV), for his statements -written, spoken and filmed -regarding Islam. The Amsterdam Court of Appeals hasdeemed such statements "insulting," declaring that they"substantially harm the religious esteem" of Muslims.

Clearly, the effect of this Dutch court order is to set new limits to publicdebate in Dutch society, in this case about the highly controversial butnonetheless crucially important subject of Islam. This makes the prosecution ofGeert Wilders an unacceptable breach of the sanctity of freedom of speech inWestern society.

Having ordered a criminal prosecution for the opinions of a duly elected leaderof a legitimate political party, Dutch authorities have dealt a devastatingblow to political expression. While Dutch prosecutors prepare their indictmentand Geert Wilders' future hangs in limbo, who in The Netherlands will darediscuss political and cultural matters related to Islam - Islamic law, Islamicintegration, Islamic crime, Islamic policy - openly, freely and fearlessly? Thechilling effect is instantaneous. If, indeed, Wilders is ultimately convicted,free speech will cease to exist in the heart of Europe.

The International Free Press Society believes this court-ordered prosecutionagainst Geert Wilders, a central figure in the fight against the Islamizationof the West, amounts to a dangerous concession to the strictures of Islamiclaw, which prohibits all criticism of Islam, over Western traditions of, andrights to robust and unfettered debate. As such, it is tantamount to asurrender to totalitarian influences that undermine all Western freedoms. Andas such, it must be resisted.

It is important to recall recent history. Two Dutchmen, Pim Fortuyn and Theovan Gogh, have been murdered for their outspoken opposition to Islamization inThe Netherlands. Another Dutch politician, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, has been infamouslyforced into exile. Wilders alone now carries this debate over Islam in Dutchsociety forward - forcefully but logically, outspokenly but reasonably, andalways peacefully. In order to do so, this member of Dutch parliament lives ina virtual prison, consigned to 24-hour guard by Islamic death threats againsthis life. Now, Dutch authorities have ordered him to be prosecuted for theOrwellian crime of committing "insulting" words.

As Wilders puts it, "If I have to stand trial, I will not stand trialalone, but also with the hundreds of thousands of Dutch people who reject theIslamization of The Netherlands." He will also stand trial with those inThe Netherlands and beyond who reject government prosecutions of free speech.In recognition of this dire situation, the IFPS immediately calls on everysupporter of free speech to come to the aid of Geert Wilders. To assist in thiseffort, the IFPS has launched an international campaign in defense of GeertWilders and his freedom of speech.

To support these efforts, we urge you to contribute to the Geert WildersDefense Fund. Donation information can be found at the IFPS website at http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org.