As an advocate of free speech I was disappointed by the mean-spirited cartoon in the Charlie Hebdo publication. Not because they didn’t have the right to express an opinion, even if satirical. Rather, knowing the suffering its intended targets had gone through, having everything taken from them, the only thing left for them was this faith. It seemed an irresponsible thing to do.

However, the fact that an organisation clings to arcane legislation as a strategy to garner respect or remain relevant is quite telling in that they have not really come to terms with their past. Respect is earned.

It is quite ironic to keep vilification laws in place in 2015 for a group that labels itself as a moral beacon. In fact these laws don’t protect the group. Rather they announce that the group has ceded the argument. It’s an attempt to put the genie back in the bottle.

When under attack, it is wiser to acknowledge the past, apologise and say we must do better.

Using the justice system as the Sword of Damocles takes us back to the glory days of trial by ordeal. It’s doomed to fail.