Parliament salutes Charlie Hebdo victims, calls for fight against prejudices

The House of Representatives this evening dedicated a few minutes of its agenda to remember the victims of the Charlie Hebdo attack last week and the threat against the freedom of expression.

A minute of silence was observed by members of parliament while deputy prime minister Louis Grech and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil addressed the House.

Quoting Martin Luther King, Grech said that “the only weapon that we have in our hands this evening is the weapon of protest. That's all”.

“This is what happened yesterday when thousands took to the streets in Paris remembering the victims of the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo offices and those who died as hostages,” he said.

Grech said political leaders and authorities have to ensure that the people’s right to the freedom of expression is respected. He argued that the European Union and the international community had to provide a framework by which citizens feel they are safe, even though this may not mean that terrorism is eradicated.

“While all states have to take all necessary security measures, leaders have to concretely fight prejudices, xenophobia, Islamophobia and the fights between civilizations. We would be mistaken in thinking that all this was the result of a religion,” Grech said.

He added that it was the leaders’ duty to now reciprocate the citizens’ aspirations. He welcomed the presence of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas at the Unity Rally in Paris.

Grech said that diversity and different beliefs were the characteristics of a free society, not a weakness. “History has shown that alliances between free societies result in a lasting win,” he said.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said that leaders should commit themselves to the freedom of expression that has now become a universal value.

“Today we are all Charlie. Those who committed the attack were not Islamists. They were fanatics and terrorists,” he said.

Busuttil said that this brutal attack against the media shocked many, but the attack against free speech can also be subtle.

“There are those who don’t like to be criticised and thus attack those who criticise him,” he said.

Busuttil ended his speech by quoting Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”