Answer for question E-001531/25

EN E-001531/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission (27.6.2025) Human dignity, non-discrimination, freedom of expression as well as freedom of thought, conscience and religion are common values and fundamental rights set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. The EU does not have legislation regulating either blasphemy or defamation of religion. The Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating racism and xenophobia1 requires Member States to criminalise public incitement to violence or hatred based on race, colour, religion, descent, or national or ethnic origin, when directed against a group of persons or a member of such group. In the Joint Communication ‘No place for hate: a united Europe against hatred’2 the Commission and the High Representative committed to step up efforts to tackle hatred in all its forms, including hatred against people of the Christian faith. National authorities, including national courts, remain competent to determine whether a specific behaviour or act qualifies as hate speech or hate crime under applicable national law and to regulate the authorisation of public events. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32008F0913. 2 Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on ‘No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred’ JOIN/2023/51 final.