This is terrible. Iranian repression and treatment of their people is as bad as N. Korea.
I agree.
VIENNA: A regional Austrian parliament gave its go-ahead on Tuesday to a change in the law that would ban building mosques and possibly other non-Christian establishments in the region.
While no mention was actually made of mosques or minarets in the bill approved by lawmakers in Carinthia province, the change to the so-called law on the upkeep of towns’ appearances meant that special dispensations would now be required for the construction of “buildings of unusual dimensions.” Carinthia’s governor, far-rightist Joerg Haider, said it was high time “to send a signal,” accusing the centre-left Social Democrats of not doing anything to stop “the advance of Islam.”
The changes were condemned by the opposition Green and Social Democrat parties, as well as the Austrian Muslim community that said the changes constituted an infringement of religious freedom.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\02\13\story_13-2-2008_pg7_45
Islamophobia on rise in the Netherlands, Muslims stigmatised
2/12/08
BRUSSELS: Islamophobia has increased dramatically in the Netherlands following recent terrorist attacks in Europe, a human rights watchdog warned today, with Muslims the subject of stereotyping, stigmatisation and frequent racist violence.
In a harshly worded report, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance said even Dutch politicians have resorted to making derogatory remarks about Muslims in recent years, and that racist discourse has remained "as a rule" unchallenged by mainstream political parties.
The report comes as the Netherlands is embroiled in a debate on what some Dutch politicians call an "Islamisation" of the country, which has traditionally welcomed immigrants but put little pressure on them to embrace Western values.
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