ODS distances itself from Wilders's invitation to Czech Republic

Invited by Oberfalzer, Wilders, an opponent of multiculturalism, is to speak in the Czech Senate and to show his anti-Islamist 15-minute film Fitna at the end of November.

Wilders's appearance in the Czech Senate was rejected by chairmen of foreign affairs committees of both parliamentary houses.

They said it was "appalling and quite ill-considered."

Jan Hamacek (Chamber of Deputies) and Jiri Dienstbier (Senate), both Social Democrats, said Wilders faces criminal prosecution over his statements in the Netherlands.

"We dismiss the idea of a man advocating extremist ultra rightist views contradicting any democratic principles appearing on the parliamentary soil," Hamacek and Dienstbier said.

They called on Senate chairman Premysl Sobotka not to allow the event in the upper house.

"Wilders's views and proclamations are in full contradiction with the political line of the ODS, based on mutual tolerance and respect for persons of differing religions and races," the ODS said in a press release passed to CTK.

"The presentation of Wilders's often extreme attitudes crosses the bounds of freedom of speech that should not ease the spread of mutual intolerance and deepening of extremism in a democratic society," it added.

Oberfalzer said on Wednesday he had invited Wilders because he had been denied the opportunity to address the British House of Lords in February.

The British Home Office denied entry to Britain to Wilders, citing national security considerations.

"The event has revealed a deep crisis in the freedom of speech in Western civilisation," Oberfalzer said.

Oberfalzer said Wilders "may be saying controversial, but basically truthful things."

"Not everyone needs to like Wilders's rhetoric, but it is in the interest of democratic discussion to hear his words," said Oberfalzer, an opponent of the Lisbon treaty like Wilders, said.

It is not certain whether Wilders will really appear in the Senate. The event is not on its agenda on November 30.

Sobotka (ODS) told CTK on Wednesday he did not consider the upper house a suitable room to spread Wilders's controversial ideas.

"Some forget that democracy and words have their limits," Sobotka said.

Senate deputy chairwoman Alena Gajduskova (Social Democrats, CSSD) said it was Oberfalzer's, not the Senate's effort.

"This only describes the values of those combating further European integration," Gajduskova told CTK.

Like Oberfalzer, Wilders demands a reduction of the influence of the EU, he stood up against the Lisbon treaty and he refuses Turkey's EU entry.

The PVV seeks a halt to immigration to the Netherlands and a ban on the construction of mosques in the country.

The short film Fitna presents Islam in a controversial fashion. It has sparked off mass protests in the Muslim world. It was projected by the Czech extreme rightist National Party at its web page.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz