By Martin Banks - 2nd December 2009
Controversial Slovakian deputy Anna Zaborska says Christians in Europe face "persecution."
She told a parliamentary debate that "all people who held Christian beliefs need to be aware of this danger."
Addressing a discussion on religious freedom, the centre-right MEP said, "I wonder if there will be new period of persecution of Christians?
"Do you remember that the European court of human rights ruled that a crucifix in a public space hurts the freedom of belief for citizens?
"This persecution in Europe is not an ordinary persecution.
"The Roman empire is over where Christians ended up in prison or served as dinner for a lion.
"The modern form of persecution may be hidden, sophisticated and a socially-accepted persecution."
She added, "We need to be aware of this hidden danger and to stand up.
"The time is over when Christians were somehow protected and automatically protected."
She told the faith event, organised by MEPs, "Christian lawmakers must defend the freedom of parents regarding society's protection of minors and freedom from modern forms of slavery as well as drug abuse and prostitution."
Estonian MEP Tunne Kelam, attending the same event, said, "I agree with what she is saying and I think a lot of others will to."
"Basically, there is a feeling that a militant minority is trying to dictate the political agenda."
"Christians themselves feel as though they are now in a minority, tolerated at best and, at worst, excluded from the mainstream political debate."
Since her election in 2004, Zaborska has been something of a controversial figure.
Her appointment as chair of the women's rights and gender equality committee in the last parliament was met with dismay by women's organisations in her home country of Slovakia. She is still a member of the committee.
The Slovak Alliance of Women said she was not suitable to lead the committee for the simple reason that "she does not promote women's rights".
Olga Pietruchova, the executive director of the Slovak Family Planning Association said that the news was "a total shock and a big disappointment", given Zaborska's strong opposition to abortion and gay rights, and her failure to support anti-discrimination legislation in Slovakia.
Zaborska is said to oppose abortion, even in rape cases, arguing that when "[the victim] ends her child's life - the jolt from killing her own child is often bigger than the one suffered by rape."
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