News, Articles & Reviews

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Dutch government rejects Dutch Parliamentarian Wilders` anti-Islamic film Fitna which equates Islam with violence as it has insulted many people, Muslims in particular, Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Dr. Nikolaos van Dam said.

The Dutch government rejects this interpretation, just like the vast majority of Muslims rejects extremism and violence, the ambassador said in a letter received by Antara here Tuesday.

He said the approach taken in the film Fitna contradicts all that the Dutch government envisages and aspires to in its society, this being a society in which people can live together peacefully, showing mutual respect, as well as respect for the fundamental values of the laws of the state and guaranteeing safety for its citizens whilst maintaining freedom of expression and religion.

The Netherlands is well known for its tradition of respect, tolerance and responsibility, he said, adding that offending the feelings and beliefs of groups within this society and beyond on purpose is clearly not a part of this tradition.

"Freedom to express opinions and showing mutual respect, however, are part of this tradition. The Ducth government will abide by its tradition and calls upon everyone else to act in a similar spirit," he said.

Freedom of expression is not unrestricted in the sense that in the Netherlands its limits are defined by the law. "The Dutch government is investigating the possibility of Mr. Wilders having committed criminal offenses and the Public Prosecution Service will finally make a decision as to whether or not to prosecute," he said.

An overwhelming majority of Dutch parliamentarians has also rejected and criticized the film, the main exception being the party of Wilders himself.

The Dutch media, too, have turned their backs on the film, as has become clear through the fact that no Dutch television station has declared itself willing to broadcast it, and as a result, Wilders has found his only other alternative for distribution of Fitna in the internet, he said.

According to him, the Dutch government stands open for dialogs whilst calling for freedom of expression and mutual respect.

"The Netherlands wish to stay in open contact with all those who are in favor of a peaceful dialogs. Only through these means will we be able to cooperate successfully in building towards a society more firmly grounded in mutual understanding and respect, elements which are so precious in our present day world," he said. (*)

Source