Pandit Adonis Yoda
New member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2005
- Messages
- 56
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
A A N E W S
#1227 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4/1/07
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org
http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv
U.N. RIGHTS COUNCIL CONDEMNS "DEFAMATION" OF RELIGION AS ISLAMISTS
PUSH FOR GLOBAL BLASPHEMY BAN. WILL OTHER SECTS JOIN EFFORT?
The United Nations' major human rights group condemned "defamation" of
religion, and called upon member states Friday to ban literature and
other materials containing "racist or xenophobic ideas" that might
lead to hostility against religious groups.
Islamic states joined with Mexico, the Russian Federation and China in
supporting the measure which passed 24-14. There were nine
abstentions. The Human Rights Council resolution expressed concern at
"negative stereotyping" of religion, and excoriated "attempts to
identify Islam with terrorism."
"The resolution is tabled in the expectation that it will compel the
international community to acknowledge and address the disturbing
phenomena of the defamation of religions, especially Islam," declared
the Council delegate from Pakistan who also represented the
Organization of the Islamic Conference.
News observers suggested that the resolution grew of violent protests
by Islamists over a series of unflattering cartoons published in
September 2005 depicting the prophet Mohammed. Muslims, backed by
Christian, Jewish and other religious groups, condemned the drawings
and called for anti-blasphemy legislation. In 1989, similar protests
spread through the Arab world, Asia, Europe and even the United States
over the publication of Salman Rushdie's book "The Satanic Verses."
These incidents have fueled a debate over the status of religion in
modern society, and raised calls for the return of blasphemy statutes
aimed at protecting religious groups from "hurtful" or defamatory
remarks of any kind. Proponents debate how far such legislation
should go, however. The U.S. resolution only mentions Islam, but
representatives of other faiths have called for similar protection of
all religions.
Unfortunately, some Human Rights Council member representatives
expressed disappointment that the resolution did not explicitly cover
"defamation" against all religions. According to a U.N. press
release, delegate Carlo Alvarado from Guatemala said that his nation
"condemned defamation of religions and any practice incompatible with
the preservation of fundamental rights and freedoms," but grumbled
that the draft resolution "was unbalanced and gave importance to one
single religion over all others."
Similar sentiments were voiced by Munu Mahawar of India who repeated
the claim that the resolution focused only all one religion, while
"all religions were facing the problem of defamation in one form or
another."
None of the representatives took a position aggressively defending the
virtues of free expression and secularism. Birgitta Siefker-Eberle of
Germany, however, said that an "on-going dialogue" was the best way of
resolving differences, and that it was problematic to reconcile
"defamation" with discrimination.
In favor of the controversial resolution were 24 represented
governments: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon,
China, Cuba, Djibouti, Gabon, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mali,
Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation,
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.
Opposing states (14) were: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France,
Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Korea,
Romania, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Abstaining from the vote were: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana,
India, Peru, Uruguay and Zambia.
For further information:
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/rushdie.htm
("Rushdie death order undermines claims of moderation, reform,"
2/19/98)
http://www.aqtheists.org/flash.line/rushdie4.htm
("Tehran paper threatens British airwaves over Rushdie.")
