The European Parliament censors an exhibition of political cartoons. One of the 12 cartoons censored
The European Parliament has censored an exhibition of political cartoons. The exhibition, entitled 'EU Turns 60: A Cartoon Party', has been amputated by Liberal MEP Catherine Bearder, responsible for cultural and artistic events, who has approved its display provided that 12 of the 28 cartoons in the exhibition are removed.
For Bearder not all opinions are invited to her "party".
The exhibition was to feature political and humorous cartoons created and published by Greek and French cartoonists to coincide with an anniversary: March this year marked the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty of Rome, which laid the foundations for the European Union.
The 12 cartoons were censored on the grounds that they contained "controversial content" and"could affect the outcome of the elections in Germany on 24 September". An absurd argument, given that the exhibition is not due to open until the 26th.
Those crosses under the words"Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe" are beautiful
Another of the Bearder cross vignettes
MEPs Stelios Kouloglou and Patrick Le Hyaric (GUE/NGL), wrote a letter to European Parliament President Antonio Tajani to appeal this unprecedented censorship decision.
According to Greek MEP Stelios Kouloglou:
"Political humour and satire have been an essential part of democracy since the time of Aristophanes. They censored our exhibition under the pretext that it violates European values, but freedom of expression is the fundamental value of the European Union"
The exhibition will open on Tuesday 26 September at 18.30 in zone 1G, Altiero Spinelli building, European Parliament, Brussels.
Cartoons censored by the parliament
(Downloadall in good quality)
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Sources consulted:
European Parliament censors exhibition of political cartoons
Parliament censors exhibition of cartoons on the EU's 60th anniversary
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