U.N. body adopts resolution on religious defamation

[-Cp]

GENEVA (Reuters) - A United Nations forum on Thursday passed a resolution condemning "defamation of religion" as a human rights violation, despite wide concerns that it could be used to justify curbs on free speech in Muslim countries.

The U.N. Human Rights Council adopted the non-binding text, proposed by Pakistan on behalf of Islamic states, with a vote of 23 states in favor and 11 against, with 13 abstentions.

Western governments and a broad alliance of activist groups have voiced dismay about the religious defamation text, which adds to recent efforts to broaden the concept of human rights to protect communities of believers rather than individuals.

Pakistan, speaking for the 56-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said a "delicate balance" had to be struck between freedom of expression and respect for religions.

The resolution said Muslim minorities had faced intolerance, discrimination and acts of violence since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, including laws and administrative procedures that stigmatize religious followers.

Read the rest:
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE52P60220090326

[PostmodernProphet]

GENEVA (Reuters) - A United Nations forum on Thursday passed a resolution condemning "defamation of religion" as a human rights violation,

the atheists are screwed......

[emmett]

We need to get the hell out of the UN. Being a member does nothing for us other to add to the burden we have of having our way of life adjusted to adhere to a New World Order!

[Nukeman]

GENEVA (Reuters) - A United Nations forum on Thursday passed a resolution condemning "defamation of religion" as a human rights violation, despite wide concerns that it could be used to justify curbs on free speech in Muslim countries.

The U.N. Human Rights Council adopted the non-binding text, proposed by Pakistan on behalf of Islamic states, with a vote of 23 states in favor and 11 against, with 13 abstentions.
Western governments and a broad alliance of activist groups have voiced dismay about the religious defamation text, which adds to recent efforts to broaden the concept of human rights to protect communities of believers rather than individuals.

Pakistan, speaking for the 56-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said a "delicate balance" had to be struck between freedom of expression and respect for religions.

The resolution said Muslim minorities had faced intolerance, discrimination and acts of violence since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, including laws and administrative procedures that stigmatize religious followers.

Read the rest:
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE52P60220090326
Of course the countries that requested this will be the FIRST to break it! Show me where they have the freedom to even say anything about religion in the Islamic countries. If it is "illegal" to say bad things about another religion how is if they just BAN every other religion from the area.....

[emmett]

Of course the countries that requested this will be the FIRST to break it! Show me where they have the freedom to even say anything about religion in the Islamic countries. If it is "illegal" to say bad things about another religion how is if they just BAN every other religion from the area.....

Bingo!

[5stringJeff]

There's no balance to be struck between freedom of speech and "respect." Freedom of speech wins out every time.

[Little-Acorn]

U.N. body adopts resolution on religious defamation

Great!!

So this means the Muslim countries aren't going to badmouth Jews any more? (or kill them?)

It's about time.

[sgtdmski]

No it means that anyone who challenges Islam is a criminal.

dmk

[Kathianne]

hey, the Danish PM that had shown some brass back when, capitulated to get a good UN seat. Tells you something.