UN: No Defaming Religion in Public!

[Doug]

GENEVA — Islamic countries pushed through a resolution at the U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday urging a global prohibition on the public defamation of religion _ a response largely to the furor last year over caricatures published in a Danish newspaper of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad.

The statement proposed by the Organization of Islamic Conference addressed what it called a "campaign" against Muslim minorities and the Islamic religion around the world since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

The resolution, which was opposed by a number of other non-Muslim countries, "expresses deep concern at attempts to identify Islam with terrorism, violence and human rights violations."

It makes no mention of any other religion besides Islam, but urges countries "to take resolute action to prohibit the dissemination of racist and xenophobic ideas and material aimed at any religion or its followers that constitute incitement and religious hatred, hostility, or violence."

The resolution was adopted by a 24-14 vote with nine abstentions. Canada, Japan and South Korea joined European countries in opposition, primarily citing its excessive focus on Islam and incompatibility with fundamental rights such as the freedoms of speech and thought.

See here.

[ChristianLoeschel]

Does that mean we cant flame fundies in public anymore?

[Dardedar]

DAR
No. If a country ever gets to oppressive that you aren't allowed to roast fundies any more, it is time to move.

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

They are going to have a real problem with definitions - also with free speech. I personally don't believe in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic god, but if I did, I'd say he's a jerk. That's my free speech, but it's "fightin' words" to a sizeable portion of this country.