But a line should be drawn when hatred and violence is promoted, says Baroness Berridge
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Baroness Elizabeth Berridge, who is the director of the Commonwealth Initiative on the Freedom of Religion or Belief, said this free space, where people of different faiths could express themselves, explore ideas and educate one another, was integral for the development of mankind.
“We in the UK want to avoid a situation such as that from the reports we hear about North Korea, where everything is controlled, where you’re not allowed to read anything, to listen to anything, or to discuss anything,” she told FMT in an interview at the Islamic Renaissance Front’s office here.
“When one hears about the physical conditions for the North Koreans, one can only imagine what their lives are like. That’s just not a healthy situation to be in and that’s why we want as broad a spectrum as we can have to allow people this free space.”
She said the government’s role in Britain was to ensure that it did not encroach on that free space.
“So these discussions happen a lot on university campuses. It can happen in faith institutions. It happens between the media, it happens in social clubs, in sports clubs and all those environments.
“What we don’t want is to have government agencies restricting that.”
But she said the British government would draw the line when it came to breaching the law and respect for human life and dignity.
“In the UK, we have the freedom of speech to be able to disagree with each other about the aspects of our faith within healthy dialogues. It’s when you start insulting and inciting hatred and violence against people, that’s where in the UK we draw the line.
“So parliamentarians have had very lengthy and late-night debates to ensure that the law doesn’t allow the police to come into that space, unless they really need to, such as when
someone is threatening violence against someone. That’s a criminal offence and you can’t use the argument of free speech to excuse that.
“However, the government is trying to ensure we have that space in society to express ourselves in debates and discussions – and hopefully well-informed discussions – around politics and around religion and the environment.
“And obviously, now – adding on the internet and social media – there’s so much debate and so much discussion.
“We have had issues in terms of trying to control that debate when it comes to bullying people. There have even been threats against members of parliament, and it has been especially difficult for women members of parliament, who have been victims of that bullying and trolling.
“You also have to be respectful of people you debate with. Otherwise, it just becomes an argument and that’s not constructive.”
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