Morgen wird in Brüssel ein Gerichtsbeschluss über eine islamkritische Demo erwartet, die der Bürgermeister Freddy Thielemans verboten hat.
Thielemans hat Sicherheitsbedenken gegen die zum 11. September angemeldete Demo angeführt. Nicht etwa, dass er die Veranstalter (SIOE – Stop the Islamization of Europe) und die Demonstranten selbst für gefährlich hält. Er glaube vielmehr, sagte er, sie könnten mit ihrer Demo gegen die „Islamisierung Europas“ Gegenreaktionen provozieren.
Diesen Vorgang in der europäischen Hauptstadt kommentiert heute Daniel Schwammenthal im „Wall Street Journal„.
Ich finde Schwammenthals Kommentar korrekt, auch wenn ich die Veranstalter und ihre Unterstützer für eine Horde von ziemlich zwielichtigen Anti-Islam-Hysterikern halte, darunter etwa von deutscher Seite der bekannte Herr Ulfkotte mit seinem „Pax Europa“-Verein.
Hier Kernzitate aus Schwammenthals Kommentar:
„Yet you don’t have to sympathize with the speakers to believe in free speech. Beyond that, banning the protest partly out of fear of violent reactions from Muslims would seem to bolster the protesters’ point. If Muslim radicals decide the level of debate about Islam in Europe, doesn’t it show that “Islamization,” the erosion of traditional European liberties, is a reality? Mr. Thielemans did not address that irony. He said instead that he’s not only worried about Muslims reacting violently to a SIOE march. “A number of democrats announced that they’d react too,” he said, along with “NGOs that are in favor of peace and integration.” It’s difficult to see how people who threaten to disrupt a demonstration can be called “democrats” or “in favor of peace.” Pressed on the point that the organizers should not be limited in their democratic rights due to what their opponents might do, Mr. Thielemans eventually agreed. In fact, if the counterprotesters were his only worry, he said, he’d probably let the demonstration go ahead. What really concerns him, the mayor said, is the possibility of violent racists infiltrating the protest, mingling among peaceful demonstrators and provoking and attacking foreigners. The mayor says that police have discovered extremist Web sites calling on their followers to join the protest and cause trouble.
Unfortunately, many demonstrations contain the possibility of turning violent and some in the end do so. It is the job of the police to nip such violence in the bud and arrest troublemakers. The pre-emptive strike of banning the entire protest seems justified only if the threat to public safety is significant.
…
Of course, the mayor is responsible for public security. If a controversial demonstration that he approved a permit for were to turn violent, he would be held responsible.
Yet freedom of speech, particularly controversial speech, is also a treasured good in a democracy. In this instance, moreover, any immediate threat to public security perhaps should be weighed against a potential long-term threat to peace. Among other things, banning the SIOE demonstration will embolden Muslim radicals by suggesting that violence, or the fear of it, is the way to manipulate freedom lovers. Arguably, a ban may also undermine faith among ordinary people that their concerns about radical Islam can be voiced, and addressed, in a democratic fashion. Perhaps the court will consider this at tomorrow’s hearing.“
Das ist sehr richtig: Der Bürgermeister und seine Sicherheitskräfte sind dafür zuständig, eine friedliche Demonstration auch (und gerade) zu kontroversen Themen zu ermöglichen. Gegen die „Islamisierung“ Europas zu protestieren, muss möglich sein, und natürlich auch mitten in der europäischen Hauptstadt.
Ich würde zu dieser Demo allerdings nicht gehen. Mit Leuten, die so für sich werben, möchte ich nichts zu tun haben: