On 4th December, the COMECE (Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union) asked for the appointment of an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred during a conference held in the European Parliament.
The COMECE representative based this demand on « the right to freedom of religion, as well as provisions to fight against discrimination on grounds of religion », and referred to the already existing Coordinators against antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.
This demand and its justification are deeply flawed, and should be rejected.
Firstly, the COMECE is confusing two very distinct notions : the protection of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (reduced to « freedom of religion ») on the one hand, and the struggle against racism on the other. Antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred are forms of racism. The COMECE wants to have a Coordinator to protect religion, which is wholly different thing.
Second, COMECE’s claim is based on a report by a small association, the “Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC)”, whereas antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred are being monitored by the Fundamental Rights Agency. Moreover, the methodology of OIDAC’s reports is not rigorous, therefore its findings should be treated with the utmost scepticism.
Thirdly, the scope of the definition of “anti-Christian discrimination” claimed by OIDAC, and endorsed by COMECE, is extremely broad and may interfere in the rights and freedoms of others, especially women and LGBT+ persons. Indeed, the report lists the inclusion of termination of pregnancy in medical curricula in certain member States as a “discrimination”. It is a surreptitious attempt to undermine fundamental women’s rights, as recognised in international law and promoted by the European Parliament. It also would be tantamount to censoring, for religious reasons, teaching that is the sole responsibility of the schools and universities, guarantors of academic rigour.
Lastly, we, secularists, are firmly committed to the universality and unity of human rights. At a time of growing division and polarisation, we think that it is not adequate to create a position devoted to a specific religious faith. Many other religious faiths and philosophical convictions would also claim the same position for their own. It can only lead to further fragmentation and division, and threaten the very rights and liberties that are our common good.
