Time to tone down tension over Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed's

6.24.16pm GMT Wed 1st Feb 2006

Responding to the controversy surrounding the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper, Graham Watson MEP, leader of the European Liberals and Democrats, warned against escalation of the issue. Talk of a consumer trade war or demands for sanctions on the newspaper concerned - Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten. At the same time he criticised those extremists who are threatening EU embassies, staff and citizens who have nothing to do with the publication.

"Publishing cartoons or misrepresentations of a religious figure can clearly cause offence. However some Arab politicians and zealots are pouring oil on the fire and thus further adding to tension at a time when relations between the EU and the Middle East need to be strengthened. This is a time for cool heads not hot-heads," commented Watson.

Sajjad Karim, a British Muslim Liberal Democrat MEP called for greater sensitivity on the part of those in responsible editorial positions to apply sound judgement in such cases. "The editor of Jyllands-Posten has shown great insensitivity of judgement in underestimating the offence that the cartoons could cause to Muslims. But those who now threaten Danish nationals abroad or protest outside EU embassies are in danger of over-reacting. Muslims should have no issue with the Danish people as a whole - one of the most open and tolerant societies in the world. I would urge all sides now to climb down and treat this as a hard lesson in building inter-cultural ties."

Karin Riis-Jørgensen, head of the Danish Liberal delegation in the European Parliament and Vice-President of ALDE group remarked that "Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten has now publicly apologised for causing offence to Muslims by the publication of the 12 drawings depicting Mohammed. That should now be the end of the matter. There has however been much manipulation and misinformation involved in the last four months which has caused this case to escalate. Violent threats and calls for retribution now will only further fan the flames. Freedom of expression is a basic principle of European society and considered a fundamental Human Right which should not be undermined."