The right to blasphemy: a counterproductive concept

Le Regard Libre N°69 - Antoine Bernhard

During the Charlie Hebdo massacre and the recent attack in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, a theme invaded the political and media scene, especially in France: the «right to blasphemy». Its defenders invoke it in the name of secularism and freedom of expression, while Islamists use it as yet another reason to hate France and the West. Admittedly, the formula is effective. But what about its relevance?

In 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen established, for the first time in history, the right to freedom of expression: «No one shall be molested for his opinions, even of a religious nature...». Since 1948, it has been guaranteed by article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: «Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to hold opinions without criticism.