One News Now (Link) - AP (March 29, 2009)
There are concerns being raised about a U.N. religion defamation proposal which could actually suppress religious free speech rights.
The U.N.'s top human rights body has approved a proposal by Muslim nations urging the passage of laws protecting religion from criticism. Members of the Human Rights Council voted 23-11 in favor of a resolution to combat "defamation of religion." Opposing the resolution were mostly Western nations. Thirteen countries abstained.
The resolution was proposed by Pakistan. Muslim countries have cited Western criticism of Islamic law, as well as the inflammatory effect of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, as examples of unacceptable free speech.
Christian, Jewish, and secular groups say the non-binding resolution restricts freedom of speech and will worsen relations between faiths.
Bennett Graham of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty argues that religious discrimination can be prevented with existing human rights laws. Graham says there should not be an international ban on defamation of religion.
"It sounds like it's for respect and for tolerance and about religious harmony, and unfortunately it actually creates religious disharmony and shuts down any sort of discourse in the public square," Graham contends.
Members of the U.S. Congress voiced opposition to the defamation ban, including Congressman Trent Franks (R-Arizona).
"This notion of outlawing the defamation of religions is a very, very dangerous one. As a Christian, it hurts me when maybe someone says something negative about my faith or my Savior, but if they don’t have the right to do that, then their religious freedom is gone," he notes. "And so as a Christian, I'm very, very committed to religious freedom. When people have the right to express their faith and express dissent, it gives us all maybe a better chance at arriving at the truth."
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