Freedom of speech is a tricky business. At some point, A Danish newspaper published cartoons of the prophet Mohammed which were insulting to Muslims...but that's freedom of speech.
Later, the Pope made his own comments on the Islam and Mohammed which drove Muslims angry too...but that's freedom of speech.
How come the same rules don't apply to the Holocaust?
British author, David Irving, was convicted for 3 years on charges of denying the Holocaust in Austria. And what's more, he didn't deny it. What he said was that most of those who died at Nazi concentration camps like Auschwitz died of diseases such as typhus rather than being executed by the Germans.
He was released under probation after serving over a year behind bars.
He was convicted under this law:
"whoever denies, grossly plays down, approves or tries to excuse the National Socialist genocide or other National Socialist crimes against humanity in a print publication, in broadcast or other media."
By the way, that law applies to all people in the world. So how come George Bush isn't behind bars for denying the real number of Iraqis killed during the war?
By Zayed
comments
What's your point?
Are you saying that George Bush, The Pope and the Danish carttonists should all be thrown behind bars immediately or that Irving was harshly treated?
Personally I don't agree with the treatment of David; but there's a difference between portraying something that actually has truth to itt (the Danish cartoons), quoting ancient scriptures (the Pope) and making wild comments regarding something as sensitive as The Holocaust!
That is not freedom of speech and every muslim knows it its=Racism!! George bush should burn into hell for ever!! He is the cause of the problems in Iraq, he also helped Israel during the war with LEBANON he gave the jews military rockets to destroy Beyrouth and other towns in Leb. The pope, he thinks he's a good person (lol) probably he will join Bush in Hell. A good christian does not talk like that about muslims.
Western people are so complicated if they were muslims they would probably react like we did when we saw thos stupid and immoral cartoons.
The Holocaust: Let's Hear Both Sides
http://Ihr.org/leaflets/bothsides.shtml
I think that everyone has, and has been guilty of, the right to be foolish. I'm not sure that it makes the Nazis less reprehensible because the prisoners in their care died from preventable diseases before they could be executed.
It's an idiotic statement, but we would have trouble keeping the world running if every idiot was jailed.
excuse me toph, why is the holocaust a sensitive topic but Islam and religion in general is not? dont try to deny that the west is being racist, hpocritical, and has double standards.
Nathalie You are 1000% right!!!
What shocked me is that any one who denies the Holocaust is considered a felon. How ironic it is when it comes to the freedom of speech.