LONDON: The Islamic Human Rights Commission of London, a major campaigner for the rights of Muslim communities in Western countries, has warned that the proposed coalition government in the Netherlands, which would give the notorious Islamphobe Geert Wilders a seat in government, would represent a victory for xenophobic fascism that would have serious consequences for all European countries. In the general elections held in June, Wilders' Freedom Party won 24 of the 150 seats in the Dutch Parliament after running a campaign based on stopping the supposed “Islamization” of the Netherlands. Wilders is due in court next week to face charges of hate speech because of his attacks on Islam and Muslims. Despite this, the Christian Democrat (CDA) and Liberal parties have agreed a coalition deal with Wilders in order to achieve a majority in parliament. As part of the deal, the new government would ban the wearing of veils by Muslims. The leaders of both parties have been criticized by members of their parties who are reluctant to work with Wilders. Massoud Shadjareh, the Chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: “By dealing with Wilders and the Freedom Party and pandering to their anti-Islam agenda, the Liberal Party and Christian Democrats have further legitimized the rise of fascism in Europe. “By appeasing Wilders and his party in implementing a face veil ban, the Dutch coalition have furthered a fascist agenda. Europe edges further into the abyss of political extremism as a result. “Perhaps the Liberal Party and CDA should remember that history does not remember the appeasers of fascism in Europe well.” IHRC
