Concerning the drawings of Muhammed we
can tell the following. The 12 cartoonists are members of the Council of Danish
Artists. In December the Danish Council discussed the death threats. Due to the
threats the cartoonists have not been able to act in public, but one of them
participated in the meeting.
He explained the intention of the action which was to oppose an increasing
attitude of self-censorship among artists and publishers. He mentioned some
examples, as well in Denmark as in other European countries. The cartoonists had
been expecting some reactions, but definitely not at of the strength and size as
they occured. Already in December, when things had not developed as they have
now, they were quite chocked. At that time they had had some reconciliation
meetings with Muslim representatives in Denmark and were arranging an exposition
with Arab and Danish cartoonists.
The discussion of the Council was nevertheless difficult as far as it also
involved the bad treatment of immigrants in Denmark, especially with Muslim
background and the claims of the political right wing to use the quite liberal
Danish laws of freedom of expression for oppressing minorities. The result was a
very short statement that were sent to the Danish press 22nd of December:
"The Council of Danish Artists denounces death threats and other types of
sanctions against artists due to their artistic expressions, no matter what
ethnical background they might have. This is also valid for the 12 Danish
cartoonists, whose lives have been threatened.
The Council of Danish Artists will in the near future work for promoting
dialogue and understanding between Danish and Muslim cultures and hereby
participate in establishing of a greater mutual respect."