Hulda Fahmi is an ex-Muslim and a free-speech advocate for Set My People Free who has been tireless in her efforts at OSCE conferences.

Below is an interview with Ms. Fahmi, followed by the text of one of her interventions at this year’s OSCE conference in Warsaw. Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff, who conducted the interview, sends this introduction:

Since 2009, a group of organizations from Europe and the United States have been active in promoting and defending Western civilization and its values at OSCE (Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe) human dimension conferences in Warsaw and Vienna. While the history of our successes has been chronicled, there are still far too many baffled faces to be seen following our reports from these conferences, and still far too many question the necessity of joining us in the diplomatic battleground. One of our greatest successes was the debunking of the term “Islamophobia,” no longer used in official print materials of the OSCE. Another victory concerned the dropping of “hate speech” charges against Prof. Armin Geus.

The Swedish NGO “Set My People Free, one of our staunchest and most vocal allies, continuously speaks out in favor of abolishing Islamic and European blasphemy laws. Hulda Fahmi represents Set My People Free, and spoke at the recent Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw, where she addressed the need to be able to change religions as well as real freedom of belief. She referred to a booklet published by the OSCE about countering “anti-Muslim hate crime” in which, in the annex, police officers are introduced to core tenets of Islam as well as key phrases. While Sharia and hudud ordinances are mentioned, there is no mention of the death penalty for apostasy and/or blasphemy.

She adds that ODIHR knows we have been raising these issues for many years and she feels that mention of penalties for leaving Islam should have been included.

In addition, she describes that our presence at OSCE conferences have made an impact. As noted by Baron Bodissey in this blog, private organizations can have a trickle-up effect at HDIM meetings, because official representatives of the participating states are in attendance, and they have to pay attention to the proceedings.

A recently released ODIHR report noted that a reform of anti-blasphemy laws is key. In addition, talking in the hall with people who don’t ostensibly agree with us helps because they know they can’t deny reality when their Afghan neighbors are threatened because they converted to Christianity. Hulda adds that, “When you speak truth, it has as impact.” We have spoken truth since 2009, and we will continue doing so. Perhaps this video will convince you to join us in defending Western values and truth at the OSCE.

Many thanks to Vlad Tepes and RAIR Foundation for uploading this video:

The text of Ms. Fahmi’s intervention is below the jump.

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference

Plenary Session 3: Fundamental Freedoms I

• Freedom of opinion and expression, media freedom
• Human rights defenders
• Safety of journalists

October 2, 2024

OSCE states should be wary of letting intolerant ideologies — which do not recognise the inherent human dignity of all and the rights of others — to dictate or instigate the formation of laws limiting freedom of expression.

Thank you Mr. Moderator, Dear Colleagues, Excellencies.

Set My People Free works to repeal Islamic anti-apostasy and anti-blasphemy laws which affect the freedom of conscience, religion and belief of 1.3 billion people. 11 countries sanction the death penalty for apostasy/blasphemy — leaving or questioning Islam — and over 20 countries criminalise expressions of nonbelief or questioning of Islamic laws. Even in several OSCE countries however, Christian converts, atheists or individuals opposed to these laws face threats from family members, community members or Islamist terrorist groups.

Somali Christian Mona Walter — lives under protected identity in Sweden due to threats from Islamists who support anti-apostasy and anti-blasphemy laws. Several secular Bangladeshi bloggers due to Islamist threats are afraid to share their opinions publicly.

Unfortunately, sometimes their freedom of expression is also silenced by the weaponizing of hate speech laws by actors intolerant of religious dissent.

I would like to extend my appreciation for the introductory speakers, especially appreciate the recommendation by Assoc. Prof. Jeff Kosseff regarding not introducing laws and policies hurriedly to limit freedom of speech.

What is offensive?

March 2016, a taxi driver murdered Asah Shah in Scotland because he “disrespected prophet Muhammed.” What was the offence? He was an Ahmadi Muslim who wished Christians a happy Easter. Having a different Islamic interpretation was considered a crime according to anti-blasphemy laws which violate freedom of expression.

One such unlawful killing is enough to have a chilling effect on the free exercise of freedom of expression. This is why it is so important that the state comes alongside and upholds the principles of freedom speech and expression.

France did this effectively following the tragic brutal murder of teacher Samuel Paty. France stood unequivocally with the victim and the right to freedom of expression. After the Islamist murder of Samuel Paty, France posted the Muhammed cartoons on all public buildings, and other satiric cartoons challenging religions and beliefs in France — a stark signal that violence will not silence freedom of speech nor silence the education in freedom of speech and the human dignity of every person. The action by the French state also defuses the threat by anti-blasphemy extremists.

National Security and Fighting Polarisation Used as a Tool to Limit Free Speech

SMPF is concerned by Denmark’s knee-jerk introduction of specific legislation banning the burning of religious books in public, making no distinction if the book is your own. OSCE states should be wary of letting intolerant ideologies — which do not recognise the human dignity and rights of others — to dictate the formation of laws limiting freedom of expression.

The Islamic Republic of Iran used the alleged report of burning the Quran to execute two atheists for blasphemy [the first time in nine years that the Islamic Republic of Iran has officially executed individuals for blasphemy], apostates from Islam. SMPF did not observe any public condemnations of their execution by OSCE state authorities. The silence of states is concerning.

Q to Denmark regarding their law banning the burning of religious books?

• Did Denmark consult with civil society before passing this law? Specifically, did they meet with ex-Muslim associations?
• What checks and balances did you go through?

Borås Culture Chief in Sweden stopped an art exhibition of Iranian artist Sadaf Ahmadis saying that her artwork, “can be a trigger for polarising forces.” Her art exhibition challenged the Islamic Republic of Iran’s extrajudicial executions of women. Thankfully Örebro’s Open Art provided a platform for Sadaf to display her artwork in a public space.

Silencing the voices of individuals, robbing them of their freedom of expression for national security or to avoid polarisation is unacceptable, especially with regards to fundamental freedoms of conscience. This sort of logic is never used by EU bodies with regards to the rights of LGBTI+ individuals to express their identity and should not be used to silence apostates from Islam whether Christian, atheist or agnostic or other dissidents of religiously or ideologically mandated laws, to express their deeply held convictions and/or criticism of Islamic texts or laws, whether deemed offensive by some.

If OSCE states censor those challenging intolerant ideologies and regimes — who will educate and promote freedom of expression values among new and old OSCE citizens?

Anti-Blasphemy Laws — Transnational Repression

Algeria weaponised European Court of Human Rights decision E.S. vs. Austria to defend their arbitrary sentencing to prison of professor Said Djabelkhir and the detention of Christian convert Hamid Soudad, thanks to international pressure Hamid was released before he served the full allocated five year sentence. OSCE states must ensure hate speech laws are not weaponised as a tool of transnational oppression of Christian converts, atheists, dissidents, religious reformers, human rights defenders, professors and others who fled persecution in countries which criminalise leaving Islam and questioning Islam or reforming interpretations of Islam.

We would like to flag this pertinent statement authored by Dr. Paul Marshall who co-authored Silenced: How apostasy and blasphemy laws are choking freedom worldwide:

“Appeasement of such groups [groups who want to kill individuals for posting cartoons criticising Islam] will not work. If cartoonists rein in their satire, if pundits and politicians carefully guard their language, violent Islamists will accept their victory and move on to demand the next part of their agenda — the silencing or death of those who reject or criticize their program, including, especially, Muslims […] Now is the time to ensure not only that those on these and similar lists are protected, but that their voices are heard and amplified. If even Western democracies cannot provide the political space for Muslims [and Christians and Atheists who left Islam] to debate these critical questions concerning the meaning of Islam, then all hope of an Islamic reform movement will be lost.”

Recommendations:

• Recognise and do not censor expression critical of Islam or any religion, belief or ideology;
• Train local governments, teachers, head teachers, journalists on the threats faced by ex-Muslims and those accused of blasphemy or apostasy against Muhammed, Islam or other religious figures globally.
• Invite ex-Muslims, refugee survivors of persecution under anti-apostasy and anti-blasphemy laws outside the OSCE, and free speech experts to share examples of best practices in promoting freedom of speech in response to anti-blasphemy and anti-apostasy extremism sentiment.
• Review and amend legislation drafted to ban burning of privately owned religious or other books, evaluating the chilling effect it can have on the exercise of freedom of expression [especially on refugees who fled religious persecution], to adopt laws mandated by states outside the OSCE which criminalise apostasy and blasphemy.
• Review and amend legislation or introduction of legislation restricting freedom of speech mandated by states outside the OSCE who do not recognise the inherent human dignity of all and the rights of others, including states which criminalise with harsh penalties apostasy or blasphemy.
• Fund, protect and provide platforms for journalists documenting and reporting on Islamist hate crimes. [e.g. DOKU in Sweden, which is largely crowdfunded]

For links to previous articles about the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, see the OSCE Archives.