International

Yesterday saw the launch by a number of MEPs, including the SP’s own Dennis de Jong and fellow Dutchman Peter van Dalen of the Christian Union, of the European Parliament Working Group on freedom of religion and philosophical belief. Commenting on the move, De Jong said: ‘This freedom is one of the fundamental human rights and forms an important touchstone for other human rights in a society. It encompasses the right to follow a religion but also the right not to believe. Christian Union MEP Peter van Dalen added that ‘the EU has in all of its treaties with third countries taken the stance that freedom of religion and philosophical belief will be respected. It’s now up to the EU to call countries that abuse human rights to account over the responsibilities that they take on as a result of these treaties.’

Public broadcasting has an important task in the formation of public opinion and in ensuring that there is and continues to be a diversity of opinion represented on television. This is the position taken in the report from SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong debated today in the European Parliament. ‘In contrast to the Dutch government the majority of political groups in the European Parliament are clearly aware of the important social role played by public broadcasters,’ says De Jong. ‘The EP wants to see a pluralistic and accessible public broadcasting service unburdened by European competition rules. The Parliament also supported my demands for an enquiry into relations pf ownership within commercial broadcasting with a view to preveningt media conglomerates which are currently being formed from having too much power.’