Committee Opinion | Doc. 12303 | 22 June 2010
Islam, Islamism and Islamophobia in Europe
Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
A. Conclusions of the committee
(open)B. Proposed amendments
(open)Amendment A (to the draft resolution)
Replace paragraph 1 by the following:
“The Parliamentary Assembly notes that Islamic radicalism and manipulation of religious beliefs for political reasons oppose human rights and democratic values. At the same time, in many Council of Europe member states, Muslims feel socially excluded, stigmatised and discriminated against; they become victims of stereotypes, social marginalisation and political extremism. The Assembly is deeply concerned about Islamic extremism as well as about extremism against Muslim communities in Europe. Both phenomena reinforce each other.”
Amendment B (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 1 add the following new paragraph:
“The Assembly recalls that Islamism is the view that Islam is not only a religion but also a social, legal and political code of conduct. Islamism can be violent or mainstream and peaceful, but in both cases it does not accept the separation between religion and state which is a fundamental principle of the democratic and pluralistic societies. The Assembly also recalls that discrimination against Muslims is unacceptable and must be combated. A great majority of European Muslims share the principles at the basis of our societies and it is essential to fight against Islamophobia, stemming mainly from lack of awareness and from negative perceptions associating Islam with violence. Failing to address these issues, many European governments pave the way to the rise of extremism.”
Amendment C (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 2 delete the words “as well as the pre-eminence of written norms ensured through a last judgment”.
Amendment D (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 7 in the second sentence, replace “migrants” by “citizens of Muslim religion, in particular migrants,”.
Amendment E (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 9 replace the words “It is equally necessary that migrants belonging to a minority culture in their host country do not isolate themselves and do not attempt to develop a parallel society. Thus the Assembly calls on the representatives of the Muslim communities to encourage intercultural dialogue and understanding of the cultural background of the host country …” by “It is necessary that persons belonging to a minority culture in their country do not isolate themselves and do not attempt to develop a parallel society. Thus the Assembly calls on the representatives of the Muslim communities to encourage intercultural dialogue …”.
Amendment F (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 9 delete the word “political” before the word “extremism”.
Amendment G (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 15 replace “Genital” by “Female genital”.
Amendment H (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 15 replace the words “violates the right to physical and moral integrity of individuals and especially children under Article 8 of the ECHR and should be regarded as inhuman and degrading treatment under its Article 3. Member states must do their utmost to combat this practice” by “should be considered as a crime as it violates the right to physical and moral integrity of individuals and especially children. Member states must do their utmost to put an end to this crime …”.
Amendment I (to the draft resolution)
In paragraph 17 replace “Inter-religious education” by “Teaching about religions”.
Proposed amendments to the draft recommendationAmendment J (to the draft recommendation)
In paragraph 1 replace “extremism” by “attacks against the values it upholds”.
Amendment K (to the draft recommendation)
At the end of paragraph 2 add the following words:
“The Council of Europe should also seek to encourage other parts of the world to adopt and promote the values it upholds”.
Amendment L (to the draft recommendation)
In sub-paragraph 3.2 replace the words “public lifelong education and that institutions of higher education and research in Europe provide Islamic studies in order to educate religious scholars, teachers and leaders and distinguish Islam from Islamism” by “lifelong education and that institutions of higher education and research in Europe provide Islamic studies in order to educate religious scholars, teachers and leaders”.
Amendment M (to the draft recommendation)
At the end of paragraph 3.5 add the following sentence: “In this context the Assembly welcomes the accession of Morocco and Cape Verde to the North-South Centre”.