Europe Must Stand Together to Defend Our Freedoms – FF

Published on: 16 February 2015


Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade Brendan Smith TD has called on all Member States of the European Union to join together in resolving to battle against religious and political extremism in all its forms following the latest terrorist shooting in Copenhagen at the weekend. Deputy Smith expressed his condolences to the people of Denmark following the shooting which resulted in the death of a young Jewish man and a film director.

Deputy Smith stated: “I would firstly like to offer my own and my Party’s deepest condolences following the awful events of the weekend. The latest appalling tragedy in Copenhagen has once again reminded us all of the great threat posed to our democracies from extremism in all its forms. The event which was targeted was a seminar to discuss freedom of speech, a central concept in any democracy.

“We must not allow these kinds of terrorist attacks to undermine our commitment and our resolve to guarantee freedom of speech and all liberties associated with liberal democracies. We must also ensure that the tolerance of difference and the respect of individual liberties are also secured despite extremists’ attempts to break down these values which we hold dear.

“Member States of the European Union must do all they can to resist political and religious extremism in all its forms, whether it comes in the guise of far left or far right politics, Islamic or Christian beliefs. We need to develop ways of addressing the hatred which results in this extremism and the isolation which allows that extremism to grow”.

Connect with us



News Categories