THE HAGUE: The Dutch prime minister on Friday distanced his government from a cartoon contest being organised later this year by anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders.

Wilders “is not a member of the government. The competition is not a government initiative,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at his weekly press conference.

Rutte’s comments came after angry reactions in Pakistan to the proposed contest, which Wilders plans to hold in November in his right-wing Party for Freedom’s heavily guarded offices at the Dutch parliament.

Authorities in Pakistan have lodged a diplomatic protest against Wilders’ plan, calling it an attempt to defame Islam.

Opposition lawmaker Wilders is well known for his fierce criticism of Islam and has previously sparked fury in Muslim nations with a film about Islam. He lives under a round-the-clock guard following years of death threats.Rutte questioned Wilders’ motive for organising the contest, saying “his aim is not to have a debate about Islam. His aim is to be provocative.” However, he added that people in the Netherlands have far-reaching freedom of speech rights.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2018

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Comments (50) Closed

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 25, 2018 01:02pm

What else can he say to stay afloat, show that he is at the helm, save his skin, make his presence felt and remain in the limelight?

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Shahbaz

Aug 25, 2018 01:07pm

If the Dutch government is not involved, still they need to take action against Geert Wilders. Saying no relationship is not enough.

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Fahd

Aug 25, 2018 01:08pm

PM has a lot of powers to restrain such offensive acts. He must act against wilders.

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Naveed

Aug 25, 2018 02:41pm

It is interesting to note why Pakistan is the only Islamic country who always raise voice against such activities. Why don't so called Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran or Indonesia raise their voice on such issues ?

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SEER

Aug 25, 2018 03:11pm

What?? Does he mean that his government does not have full writ over his country’s citizens. Hypocrisy at its peak. These “clever” responses won’t fool anyone. You can very well control it all Mr. Dutch Premier so don’t shy away.

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Akeel Ahmed

Aug 25, 2018 03:13pm

where hurts others feelings then it is not a freedom.

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Khan, Andil

Aug 25, 2018 03:36pm

@Shahbaz no he doesnt....netherlands is a democratic country....the PM is not a dictator....

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Hamed Quraishi

Aug 25, 2018 03:51pm

Oh I am only the government. It is the people who are misbehaving and are racist! It is always the same.

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M. Saeed

Aug 25, 2018 03:55pm

He is inviting troubles to his country by not acting decisively.

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Kaas

Aug 25, 2018 03:57pm

@Naveed maybe because they think that raising voices will further agravate the issue

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Younas

Aug 25, 2018 04:00pm

This is very poor stance by Dutch government. You must stop this great crime aimed at hurting the sentiment of Muslims around the world. "Freedom of expression" doesn't mean Humiliating the greatest Human Being (P.B.U.H). We strongly condemn this act and will boycott Dutch prodi untill they apologize for this cheel act.

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SUMAIRA

Aug 25, 2018 04:00pm

Spin media in Europe and USA continues to focus on such things so that they can divert the attention of their own people from thinking about their own problems and issues in life.

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Ridwan

Aug 25, 2018 04:13pm

Geert Wilders badly lost in the last elections. He’s now just trying to get some attention. Ignoring him will eventually make him shut up, because all he wants is attention.

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Ridwan

Aug 25, 2018 04:14pm

@Fahd PM doesn’t have the power to silence free speech. You can say anything, and insult anything.

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Raja Idrees

Aug 25, 2018 04:26pm

I am living all my life in Netherlands. Indeed geert wilders and his party are not liked by any othet party. They didn't form government and even local news the pm always talks he is totally against the ideology of Wilders however freedom of speech is very important here. Every1 can do and say whatever they want. Wilders is disguisting and disgrace.

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Anver

Aug 25, 2018 04:29pm

@Shahbaz The government is limited in its response. Western countries value free speech especially the Dutch who have a similar view of free speech as the US (nearly absolute). It's not the Gulf where you can jail someone over what they write or draw. You are mistaken if they can or will do anything.

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Kaliya

Aug 25, 2018 04:29pm

Freedom of speech doesn't mean abuse everyone and everything.

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ukasha

Aug 25, 2018 04:34pm

well if you want to do little protest just check what things made in holland you are using and stop using them buy the alternatives.

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NADIM

Aug 25, 2018 04:48pm

I will believe in freedom of speech if they also allow similar contest about Jews.By the way I am not antisemite I just want to expose the Dutch/western hypocrisy.

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Chenko

Aug 25, 2018 05:06pm

@Fahd He is the PM of Netherlands. They are sworn to protect absolute freedom of speech and Netherlands is not an Islamic republic.

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Ahmed

Aug 25, 2018 05:08pm

A stupid and weak response. A hijab wearing women doesn't work for the government but Europeans are legislating against them. Hypocrites.

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Suraj71

Aug 25, 2018 05:11pm

@Naveed To divert the attention from the actual economic crisis and FATF grey listing matter.

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Maria enteparia onnuchoriu

Aug 25, 2018 05:28pm

Pakistan is a stranger to free expression of speech and thoughts. Islam is a major religion, if one person in the west decided to make a cartoon competition it is not going to make a dent in Islamic believes, please chill Pakistanis.

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RUMI

Aug 25, 2018 05:28pm

If there is no law in the Netherlands to prosecute someone for such acts then why can't their security agencies make Wilders disappear for a day or two. Teach him a lesson and then release him.

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Mukul

Aug 25, 2018 05:29pm

@Fahd when you can attack other religions why must your religion be an exception

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Shakil

Aug 25, 2018 05:31pm

Dutch ambassador must be expelled from Pakistan.

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RAja Raman

Aug 25, 2018 05:37pm

@Naveed, Because they don't want to give undue publicity.

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Moby Moby

Aug 25, 2018 05:44pm

@Fahd Actually he does not.

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S Wali Mujtaba

Aug 25, 2018 05:47pm

The Dutch Govt is responsible for spreadind hatred among differemt religons' followers in the world. Freedom does not mean to disgrace other religeon's Holy personalties. The Dutch Govt is senseable enough to anticipate dire consequences of such competition on their soil.

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Justice Khan

Aug 25, 2018 05:54pm

Why only Pakistan has to raise concerns?

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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA

Aug 25, 2018 06:00pm

The myth of so-called freedom of speech does not have infinite limits but considered as infringement on other rights when anyone tries to ridicule such sensitive subject of religion practiced by others through display of cartoons.In this particular case the incumbent known for his anti Islam venomous,undertaking is bound to hurt the religious feelings of Muslim in Netherlands as well as in other countries and the Dutch govt. must deter this unnecessary public disharmony & creation of undesired bad feelings of Muslim towards Dutch people.We must not provide extremists a prpoganda tool to justify their nefarious designs of creating hatred towards other peaceful communities based on differences in faith,for no rhyme or reason.It is sad to note that only Pakistan is in forefront to lodge its rightful protest against this depictable act while other Muslim countries remain mute,which is highly deplorable to begin with.This issue needs to be vigorously raised by the Islamic world body as well

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sajed syed

Aug 25, 2018 06:18pm

@Fahd Under Dutch Law, this is not an offensive act. It falls under Freedom of Speech, Assembly and practice. Why are we the Muslims scared off? let them do what they want to. We believe and fave faith, let us remain peaceful and focused on our belief and actions. We shame the doubters by our peaceful, tolerant actions.

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Aman

Aug 25, 2018 07:06pm

The western notion that is called freedom of speech is nothing more than a political tool and nonsense. When in Europe & North America people deny holocaust they are persecuted but insulting someone 's religion is okay in civilized west! why don't west allow white supremacist or Nazi's to spread their message in main stream media?

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Ubuntu

Aug 25, 2018 07:18pm

Its a minor issue. Better to ignore at its best. People will make you provocative you if you respond.

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Fawad memon

Aug 25, 2018 07:24pm

Freedom of speech....what is your speech?? BTW ...what is the difference between Freedom of hate and freedom of war and freedom of speech???

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Alba

Aug 25, 2018 08:18pm

Geert Wilders is not a member of the government. The competition is not a government initiative. Enough said.

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nasir

Aug 25, 2018 08:50pm

@Naveed oil

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Shakil Khwaja

Aug 25, 2018 09:04pm

"people in the Netherlands have far-reaching freedom of speech rights.". Really?. Can I speak my mind about Holocaust in public in Netherlands and stay a free man? In don't think so.......

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brmurr

Aug 26, 2018 02:43am

@Fahd It doesn’t work that way. You will never be able to tell someone what they can or can’t draw, nor should you, unless it’s on someone else’s property. The best way to handle this is to completely ignore them, remain silent. They’re trying to loudly express themselves because there ARE very thin-skinned people in the world that think their religion is above any sort of criticism, and this is what motivates them, so ignore them if you believe your religion is strong enough to overcome criticism. If it isn’t strong enough, then you might try to correct or improve anywhere it needs it. There is no perfect in this world.

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Shoaib

Aug 26, 2018 04:48am

We should boycott all the dutch products. Dutch Premier should stop this competition from being organized as it will hurt the sentiments of all the Muslims in the world. Freedom of Speech does not mean you can hurt the sentiments of Billions of Muslims

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Muhammadd Jawad Ashraf

Aug 26, 2018 04:46pm

Wilder you are root cause of hate, terrorism and extremism. You are peace killer. You are attacking on heart of Muslims through blasphemous cartoon.

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Rashid

Aug 27, 2018 07:28pm

@Naveed: Because all of them enjoy billions of dollars of investments from the West and have to keep quiet. The are only harsh with Islamic laws agaist 3rd class Muslim citizens of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh. Anoterh facto ris that only poor have nothing to do than to make noise and get rid of their stress when they are living in a failed state.

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neo

Aug 27, 2018 08:28pm

@Fahd PM has power but HE CANNOT STOP ANYONE FROM SPEAKING THEIR MIND...Its a freedom of speech issue which 3rd world countries find hard to understand.

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Sameer Diwan

Aug 27, 2018 08:37pm

Calling a spade a spade !!

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ahsan7979

Aug 27, 2018 08:50pm

Use their law to lodge complaint: Netherlands While Holocaust denial is not explicitly illegal in the Netherlands, the courts consider it a form of spreading hatred and therefore an offence.[57] According to the Dutch public prosecution office, offensive remarks are only punishable by Dutch law if they equate to discrimination against a particular group.[58] The relevant laws of the Dutch penal code are as follows: Article 137c He who in public, either verbally or in writing or image, deliberately offends a group of people because of their race, their religion or beliefs, their hetero- or homosexual orientation or their physical, psychological or mental handicap, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine of the third category.

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Aug 27, 2018 11:24pm

Imran is right, Muslims need to unite, be bold and undertake aggressive journalism against such practices.

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Sami

Aug 28, 2018 06:21am

@RUMI — Seriously Rumi?

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Syed Ahmed

Aug 28, 2018 09:19am

Imran Khan ignore him, he wants attention, make Naya Pakistan strong... focus focus focus on the economy.

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