Religion, Terrorism and Speech in a 'Post-Charlie Hebdo' World
[Article]
Agnes Callamard
Leiden
Brill
This article reviews the policy responses and the freedom of expression case law following the Charlie Hebdo attack. It unpacks the 'Countering Violent Extremism' frame-work from a freedom of expression standpoint and analyses court decisions related to glorification of terrorism and incitement to hatred with a particular focus on France and the United States as well as Russia, and Scandinavia. It shows the determination of governments to tackle the non-violent "ideological" bases of "terrorism", and to treat religion as largely a public order issue. It concludes that in a post-Charlie Hebdo world, courts also have taken short cuts, instrumentalising not only speech to perceived higher needs, but judicial reasoning and practices as well. This article reviews the policy responses and the freedom of expression case law following the Charlie Hebdo attack. It unpacks the 'Countering Violent Extremism' frame-work from a freedom of expression standpoint and analyses court decisions related to glorification of terrorism and incitement to hatred with a particular focus on France and the United States as well as Russia, and Scandinavia. It shows the determination of governments to tackle the non-violent "ideological" bases of "terrorism", and to treat religion as largely a public order issue. It concludes that in a post-Charlie Hebdo world, courts also have taken short cuts, instrumentalising not only speech to perceived higher needs, but judicial reasoning and practices as well.
2015
207-228
Religion & Human Rights
10/3
1871-0328
Charlie Hebdo attack
countering violent extremism
glorification of terrorism
incitement to violence
International Convention for Civil and Political Rights