Arts Minister Issues Charlie Hebdo Statement

Arts Minister Heather Humphreys has issued a joint statement with EU Culture Ministers following last week's shootings at the offices of the French satirist publication Charlie Hebdo.

The Department said the statement wished to "draw attention to the violation of artistic freedom which was evidenced in the French atrocities, including at Charlie Hebdo, and to reaffirm the importance of the EU."

"We must defend the right to artistic freedom and freedom of expression. The EU was founded on the principles of freedom, security and justice, combined with the respect for cultural diversity within the Union. The atrocities of recent days in Paris make it clear that we must strive more than ever to uphold these ideals," Minister Humphreys said.

"I am joining with Culture Ministers across the EU to emphasise the importance of artistic freedom. Without it, we would live in a deeply constrained society. Freedom of expression is something to be celebrated, to be safeguarded and to be embraced as a basic tenet of an open and democratic society.

"I would like to extend my sincere sympathies to the people of Paris, who have endured a terrifying ordeal in recent days. The French killings were a fundamental attack on freedom. Today, we stand side by side with the French people and our European neighbours in a collective declaration of freedom and unity."

The statement was initiated by the Lativan Presidency, the Minister of Culture of Latvia, Ms Dace Melbarde, and the Minister of Culture and Communication of the Republic of France, Ms Fleur Pellerin, and was signed by all 28 Ministers for Culture across the EU.

It was issued to coincide with yesterday’s solidarity march in Paris, which was attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

(IT/CD)