Timothy Garton Ash is opposed to a law on Holocaust denial

The German Minister of Justice, Brigitte Zypries, supported by Franco Frattini, European Justice Commissioner, has proposed that all member States of the European Union turn all negation of the Shoah into a penal crime. Timothy Garton Ash, the British historian and chronicler, considers that this would be a grave error and would like the other countries of the EU to reject this proposition. "The Nazi Holocaust of the European Jews was unique. The main historical facts about it should be known by every contemporary European. Trying to ensure that nothing like that ever again happens here in Europe (or anywhere else in the world, insofar as that is in our power) should be one of the fundamental aims of the EU. ... The road to hell is paved with good intentions. And this proposal is very unwise. First of all, if passed, it would further curtail free expression - at a time when that is under threat from many quarters. Free expression is a unique and primary good in free societies; it's the oxygen that sustains other freedoms. You must therefore have very good reasons for restricting it by law."

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