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Lhoťan, Lukáš
3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Wilders' acquittal improves integration
The Dutch right-wing populist Geert Wilders was acquitted of inciting hatred against Muslims on Thursday. The liberal daily Mladá fronta Dnes hopes that Europe will now engage in rational discussion about the co-habitation of Muslims and non-Muslims: "The tragicomic Wilders trial has shown that the only way to combat Islamic radicals and Islamophobes is not with trials or media campaigns, but with the most all-embracing public discussion possible. The discussion marked by hatred and demagogy must end with Wilders' acquittal, and evolve into a debate on co-habitation between Muslims and non-Muslims in Europe, as well as on the reform of multiculturalism. Failing that, the threat of a sort of civil war with an uncertain outcome for our liberal democracy looms large."
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More from the press review on the subject » Religion, » Justice, » Netherlands, » Europe
Swiss referendum sends worrying message
The outcome of last weekend's referendum in Switzerland, in which 53 percent voted for automatic deportation of foreigners found guilty of committing a crime, is regrettable and ill-advised, the liberal daily Mladá fronta Dnes concludes: "The referendum will escalate the conflict between immigrants and Europeans. Yet European countries will need millions of immigrants in the coming years if they want to maintain their current economic status. These immigrants will come above all from Muslim countries. If the trend initiated with the Swiss referendum continues and other European countries start holding such referendums this will trigger negative reactions among immigrants. How are they supposed to believe the propaganda of a civil society when the events show that equal rights don't actually exist? In this respect the referendum in Switzerland sends a frightening message."
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More from the press review on the subject » Migration, » Integration, » Crime, » Switzerland, » Europe, » Global
Lukáš Lhoťan on anti-Muslim sentiment in Europe
The minaret ban, the burqa ban, a Muslim ban? In a commentary for the liberal daily Mladá Fronta Dnes Lukáš Lhoťan, spokesman of the Czech Muslim organisation Libertas Independent Agency, paints a dire picture of what he fears the future may hold: "In school we learned that in a democracy the state treats all citizens equally, regardless of their skin colour, political or religious convictions. But a glance at the development of mainstream European politics is enough to make my skin crawl. Everyone's talking about the Muslim threat and the need to limit its influence. Here it's the clothing that's targeted, there it's the mosques and minarets. And maybe tomorrow it'll be the beards. Perhaps one day people will be saying all Muslims should wear identifying marks, and from there it's just a small step to concentration camps and mass murder. ... When I see the growing Islamophobia and discrimination in Europe it doesn't surprise me that many Muslims seek refuge in the slogans and dogmas of the radicals."
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More from the press review on the subject » Public Culture, » Religion, » Integration, » Minorities, » Europe, » Middle East
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