Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders was acquitted by an Amsterdam court yesterday of charges of group defamation against Muslims, and incitement to hatred and discrimination against Muslims based on their religion and race.
Radio Netherlands reports on the verdict. At issue were statements made by Wilders on websites, Internet forums, Dutch newspapers and his film
Fitna. (See
prior posting.) An
English translation of the court's press release on the case presents more details on the verdict. The court held that criticism of a religion is permissible. It went on to conclude that certain statements that might be seen as incitement to discrimination nevertheless are allowed "because of the context of the public debate" in which Wilders spoke "as a politician." At the time the statements were made, problems of a multicultural society and immigration were being discussed. Wilders statements "raised public problems" and "do not cross criminal legal boundaries." Prosecutors had previously attempted to dismiss the charges on free speech grounds, but an appeals court ordered the prosecution to move ahead. (See
prior posting.) Now lawyers for those who filed complaints against Wilders are considering taking the case to the United Nations Human Rights Council or to the European Court.
In an op-ed in today's
Wall Street Journal, Wilders reacts to his acquittal, saying in part:
Yesterday was a beautiful day for freedom of speech in the Netherlands. An Amsterdam court acquitted me of all charges of hate speech after a legal ordeal that lasted almost two years. The Dutch people learned that political debate has not been stifled in their country. They learned they are still allowed to speak critically about Islam, and that resistance against Islamization is not a crime.
