MEHR NEWS: TEHRAN, Mar. 10 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Slovenian Charge d’affaires Matjaž Puc whose country holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council to protest against insulting religious sanctities in Europe.
The Foreign Ministry expressed deep concerns about the recent increases in religious desecration, especially insulting the holy prophet of Islam, Muhammad bin Abdullah (PBUH), in some European countries.
“The Islamic Republic believes that the freedom of insulting religions should not be promoted under the pretext of supporting the freedom of speech.”
The European Union is expected to abide by its commitments to the Article 20 of United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which prohibits any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, the Ministry announced.
The Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the reprinting of one of the 12 sacrilegious cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in newspapers in Denmark last month that had enraged Muslims in 2006.
It also protested over a blasphemous movie about the holy Quran produced in the Netherlands and disrespectful cartoons of Prophet Muhammad appeared in a Swedish newspaper.
The ministry criticized the EU countries for misusing the freedom of speech, saying such actions are blatant insults to all Muslims around the world.
The Slovenian charge d’affaires said all countries are duty-bound to respect divine religions, adding that he will convey Iran’s protest to the European Union. [Source: Iran summons Slovenian diplomat >>>]
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