The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning religious intolerance on Dec. 19, and it did not contain any of the language opposing the “defamation of religion” that was present in earlier documents and resolutions. Human Rights First reports:
The novelty of this text is that it does not include the harmful concept of “defamation of religions.” Instead, the General Assembly resolution calls on governments to speak out and to condemn hatred, while encouraging open debate, human rights education, and interfaith and intercultural initiatives.
The resolution marks a welcome departure from previous U.N texts. For over a decade, efforts were made in several venues at the U.N. to promote the concept that was intended to prohibit “defamation of religions.” What it did, in fact, was provide cover for abusive national blasphemy laws. Human Rights First has long argued that this concept is inconsistent with universal human rights standards that protect individuals rather than abstract ideas or religions. Indeed, blasphemy laws promote a stifling atmosphere in which governments can restrict freedom of expression, thought and religion and persecute religious minorities. Such resolutions were sponsored by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
A welcome development.
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Pierce R. Butler
December 26, 2011 at 12:38 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Cue hyperchristians: “United Nations declares war on Baby Jesus!!!” in 1, 2, 3…
Aquaria
December 26, 2011 at 4:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Eh, they already have huge mailings that screech about the evils of the UN. It’ll be tough to hear any whining about the UN being out to get them through the usual din.
Eamon Knight
January 3, 2012 at 2:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Is this the same resolution being discussed here?:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/abigailesman/2011/12/30/could-you-be-a-criminal-us-supports-un-anti-free-speech-measure/
Is the piece just alarmism, or does she have a point?
dingojack
January 26, 2012 at 5:32 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Eamon – “…us-supports-un-anti-free-speech-measure/”
Isn’t that a double (or possibly triple) negative? ;)
Dingo
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January 26, 2012 at 3:44 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] Justice. Last month, the United Nations adopted a resolution condemning religious intolerance, but decided to ditch language that incorporated a new concept called “defamation of religion.” A group of atheists [...]