Simon Dawes - openDemocracy

The Islamophobic witch-hunt of Islamo-leftists in France

This manufactured conflict is dependent upon a curious, neoconservative redefinition of laïcité and a libertarian fetishisation of absolutist free speech.

By Simon Dawes

/ 2 Nov 2020

The Islamophobic witch-hunt of Islamo-leftists in France

Islamophobia in Christchurch

The slaughter of 50 Muslims in a mosque in Christchurch was an Islamophobic act of anti-Muslim racism by a far-right, white supremacist terrorist.

By Simon Dawes

/ 18 Mar 2019

Open letter to Third World Quarterly on the publication of 'The case for colonialism'

A letter of complaint to the editors of Third World Quarterly at Taylor & Francis on the publication of 'The case for colonialism' by Bruce Gilley.

By Simon Dawes

/ 20 Sep 2017

Charlie Hebdo and the right to offend

The right to offend, which the French secular republic with its long tradition of anti-clericalist satire holds particularly dear, is in everyday conflict with the values of the republic’s second largest religion.

By Simon Dawes

/ 21 Jan 2015

Charlie Hebdo and the right to offend

The right to offend, which the French secular republic with its long tradition of anti-clericalist satire holds particularly dear, is in everyday conflict with the values of the republic’s second largest religion.

By Simon Dawes

/ 21 Jan 2015

Charlie Hebdo: Free speech, but not as an absolute value

Debates over what limits to free speech are acceptable are entirely valid – whether or not we approve of Charlie Hebdo images, or their mass republication on numerous websites this week.

By Simon Dawes

/ 9 Jan 2015

Charlie Hebdo: Free speech, but not as an absolute value

Debates over what limits to free speech are acceptable are entirely valid – whether or not we approve of Charlie Hebdo images, or their mass republication on numerous websites this week.

By Simon Dawes

/ 9 Jan 2015