Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two people martyred in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a vehicle in Toul.

Freedom of speech 'gone and it won’t come back': former Austrian FM

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Jun 2024 18:05
  • 5 Shares
3 Min Read

Europe was once "a dreamland," the former top diplomat said, due to its "constitutionalism, freedom, equality of women and men, security and welfare state."

Listen
  • x
  • Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl gestures during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following their talks in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 12, 2019. (AP)
    Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl gestures during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following their talks in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 12, 2019 (AP)

At a panel discussion hosted by RT at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday, former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl expressed grave concerns over the disappearance of fundamental liberties in Europe.

Kneissl, who served as Austria's Foreign Minister from 2017 to 2019, lamented the loss of freedoms such as freedom of speech, equality before the law, and constitutionalism, which she described as integral to Europe's identity.

Europe was once "a dreamland," the former top diplomat said, due to its "constitutionalism, freedom, equality of women and men, security and welfare state."

"Well, sorry to say, but all that is gone… what Europe was is gone, and I deplore it," she added.

The continent "has lost its soul… it has sold its soul."

Read more: Russia calls out EU's violation of freedom of speech, media

Related News

Russia, China, Iran send joint letter to IAEA on Resolution 2231 end

Rubio influences Trump’s u-turn on sanctions on Russia

"The essence of Europe once upon a time was freedom, and equality in front of the court systems. I haven’t seen it. Freedom of speech – it’s gone and it won’t come back so quickly. It will take some time… this is for me the most traumatic aspect," Kneissl said.

The EU "might overcome an energy crisis and economic recession, all that can be overdone," but the loss of those democratic liberties "cannot be overcome, at least for one, two or three, or more generations," the head of Center G.O.R.K.I. (Geopolitical Observatory for Russia’s Key Issues) at St. Petersburg University warned.

RT organized a panel discussion entitled 'Has the West Succeeded in Vilifying Russia?' as a component of the 2024 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The lineup of speakers was notable, comprising former UN Special Commission weapons inspector Scott Ritter, who faced challenges from US authorities preventing his participation, alongside Tara Reade, a former aide to Joe Biden, and Alexander von Bismarck, the great nephew of Otto von Bismarck.

Read more: UNESCO awards World Press Freedom prize to Palestinian journalists

In late May, the Council of the European Union announced its decision to suspend the broadcasting activities of four Russia-associated media outlets within the EU, namely Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, citing their alleged role in spreading and supporting "Russian propaganda" and "aggression against Ukraine."

Commenting on the ban, Russia’s State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin called out the EU for censoring alternative opinions and restricting freedom of speech to deceive citizens. 

"The Council today decided to suspend the broadcasting activities in the EU of four additional media outlets, which spread and support the Russian propaganda and war of aggression against Ukraine: Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta," the council wrote in a document.

On Telegram, Volodin called the move a sign of the EU “to close access to objective and reliable information” for residents of member states, adding, “the policy of double standards has become an integral part of European structures” as they only “talk about freedom of speech, but do not tolerate it in reality”.

  • Russia
  • Freedom of Speech
  • Democracy
  • Austria
  • European Union
  • Karin Kneissl

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Flags of Iran, Russia, and China (IRNA)
Politics

Russia, China, Iran send joint letter to IAEA on Resolution 2231 end

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries
Politics

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries

Tents are seen at UN school used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Politics

UN warns of 'lost generation' amid Gaza education crisis

x
Politics

White House pushes to repeal US sanctions on Syria: Report

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS