Freedom-Related Problems in Different Societies

Religions and Freedom of Expression

Freedom-Related Problems in Different Societies

A New Book

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) published a new book
entitled 'Religion and Freedom of Expression: Freedom-Related Problems in
Different Societies." The book covers various studies including the
problem of the Freedom of Expression in the Danish Caricature Crisis; the
problem of Freedom of Expression in Egypt; Freedom of Expression in the
Jurisprudence of the Egyptian Judiciary and the European Court for Human
Rights (ECHR) Judicial System.

The book, edited by Ragab Saad Taha and introduced by Radwan Ziyada,
comprised many studies by a group of experts, academics, human rights
activists, poets, journalists, writers and judges. Writers include Salah
Eissa, Hisham el-Bastawesi, Helmi Salem, Mahmoud el-Werdany, Bahey el-Din
Hassan, Ali Mabrouk, Ezz el-Din Nageeb, Sameh Fawzi, Radwan Ziyada, Khaled
Salah and Hafez Abo Seda in addition to other international experts.

The book includes the first Arabic translation of a guideline on the
implementation of the ECHR of Article 10 (on freedom of Expression) of the
European Convention on Human Rights. It also includes a paper prepared by
the Danish Institute for Human Rights on Freedom of Expression and Contempt
of Religions in the Danish Law.

It is worth mentioning that the book is the outcome of a six-month program
on Freedom of Expression across Cultures in which many international and
Arab organizations took part. The program was initiated by the CIHRS, and
implemented in cooperation with the Denmark-based International Media
Support (IMS), the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), Article
19 Organization, the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights and the
Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies.

The program aimed at encouraging dialogue between Egyptian and Danish
journalists with regard to freedom of expression-related problems in Arab
and European contexts in the aftermath of the Danish caricature crisis. It
also aimed at identifying lessons learned by both parties to promote
freedom of expression. Other objectives include promoting cooperation
between Mediterranean civilizations that have been recently suffering
tension reflected in a group of crises with a cultural character. In this
framework, it was noted that the civil society in the southern
Mediterranean region should play a role in reaching out to its North
Mediterranean counterpart, and that efforts should be exerted to promote
cooperation and improve strained relations between both regions.
Furthermore, the examination of the impact the difference in the political
and cultural contexts has on the exercise of freedom of expression, in
addition to raising awareness about the problems of freedom of expression
from a human rights perspective.

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