Ideas@TheCentre
One rule for all: free speech and integration
Jeremy Sammut |
30 July 2010
Both speakers explained why the right to free speech is routinely violated by Western governments, academics, and media companies that ought to support frank discussion of controversial issues. The usual suspects were all mentioned: from political correctness to political cowardice to violent political intimidation.
Inevitably, the Q&A session focused on one issue in particular: the integration of Islamic people in Western societies and the threat to the freedoms of all citizens, of all colours and creeds, posed by radicalised and politicised Islam-ism.
This was inevitable because Hirsi Ali has risked her life to exercise free speech on this important issue.
The sense in the room, appropriately enough, was one of relief that the issue was being publicly discussed, since no informed person can observe the process of disintegration in other countries (most recently France) without cause for concern.
The forum highlighted the importance of freedom of speech because the discussion canvassed ways to avoid similar problems in Australia.
The move to ban the burqa in some European countries was raised and rejected as an inadequate and reactionary response.
Hirsi Ali argued the burqa is simply a symbol, with the real issue being Sharia law and the incompatibility of Sharia-dictated covering of women with the Rule of Law in the West.
A similar point was made concerning female genital mutilation.
Albretchsen argued that a few high profile prosecutions of the perpetrators would help send the message that this practice is unacceptable.
The broader point was that immigrants and their descendents need to know, respect and comply with the core, non-negotiable values of the society they are expected to integrate with.
Free speech is one of those values. Hence, the forum highlighted just how important free speech is as a threshold issue and starting point for addressing the challenges facing immigrant nations like Australia.
For if there is a societal unwillingness to uphold the fundamental right to free speech for all, what hope is there that a society will have the will to uphold the Rule of Law for all?
Dr Jeremy Sammut is a Research Fellow at The Centre for Independent Studies.
