On a global scale, it is estimated more than 360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution; 20% of these oppressed believers are located in Asia. Are these victims of any importance to the European Union?
A free country is not one in which one can do whatever one wills. That is anarchy and chaos. A free country is one in which the liberties of its members are sufficiently protected that they can do what is good.
To label one’s opponents as ‘antidemocratic’ may make rhetorical sense, but if the values held as sacred have no foundation besides being considered so by the majority, they will inevitably fail when significant minorities beg to differ.
As we consider the future of Turkey’s relationship to the EU, this is perhaps a good moment for Europe to reflect on its own commitment to human rights. Religious minorities need the EU to stand strong in its commitments to democracy, equality, and freedom for everyone.
This was an opportune moment for the EU to recommit to the protection of freedom of religion or belief by reinforcing the existing EU instruments aimed at doing so and highlighting cases concerning minorities where this right has been violated. Yet, it did the exact opposite.
