[Infowarrior] - Is the UN attacking free speech?

[Richard Forno]

Published: March 27,2009
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Free Expression Assault Continues at UN Human Rights Council

http://newsblaze.com/story/20090327170413zzzz.nb/topstory.html


Freedom House condemns the UN Human Rights Council for undermining the
universal right to freedom of expression by once again passing a
resolution that urges members to adopt laws outlawing criticism of
religions.

The "defamation of religions" resolution, introduced by Pakistan on behalf
of the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC), passed today by a
vote of 23-11, with 13 abstentions. Muslim nations have been introducing
similar resolutions since 1999, arguing that Islam-the only religion
specifically cited in the text-must be shielded from unfair associations
with terrorism and human rights abuses.

"These countries are using the UN to expand and bring legitimacy to their
frontal assault on freedom of expression," said Paula Schriefer, Freedom
House advocacy director. "This assault starts at the level of domestic
blasphemy laws present in many OIC countries, which are routinely employed
to harass and imprison religious minorities, political dissenters and
human rights advocates, and is elevated to the international level through
resolutions at the UN."

Freedom House is especially disappointed that South Africa, a liberal
democracy whose citizens' have a deep understanding of how such laws are
used to punish dissenters, continues to back these resolutions. Similarly,
strong democracies such as South Korea, Japan, India, Mexico and Brazil
should have actively worked to defeat the resolution, instead of casting
abstention votes.

In contrast, Freedom House applauds the leadership shown by Chile in
rejecting the resolution and hopes that Chile will work to persuade other
Latin American countries to vote in a manner that accurately reflects the
democratic nature of their region. Such an effort would send a message
that freedom of expression is a universal right and not just a right to be
enjoyed by the citizens of Western democracies.

Text condemning "defamation of religions" was originally part of a draft
declaration to be issued at the Durban II anti-racism conference in Geneva
next month. But it was withdrawn after Western nations said they would
pull out of the UN conference unless it was removed.

In addition, supporters of "defamation of religions" are increasingly
attempting to incorporate the concept into existing human rights law, such
as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). They
claim that "defamation of religions" leads to "incitement of hatred or
violence," which is a legitimate restriction under the ICCPR's Article 20.

"It's preposterous to suggest that criticizing or satirizing a religion
automatically leads to hatred or violence or in any way prevents its
adherents from practicing their faith," said Schriefer. "In fact, the
ability to question religious beliefs or tenets is not only a right of
free expression, but a critical aspect to freedom of religion itself."

Of the 14 OIC members on the council, only Indonesia is ranked Free in
Freedom in the World, Freedom House's annual assessment of political
rights and civil liberties. Four of these countries-Cameroon, Egypt, Qatar
and Saudi Arabia-are ranked Not Free, demonstrating an absence of
political rights and a systematic denial of basic civil liberties. A
further analysis of Freedom in the World comparing levels of freedom of
expression and belief within OIC countries to regional groupings finds
that only the Middle East and North Africa would receive a lower score in
these categories.
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For more information on defamation of religion, visit:

Freedom of Expression Under Fire

Freedom House is an independent nongovernmental organization that supports
the expansion of freedom in the world.

Freedom matters.
Freedom House makes a difference. www.freedomhouse.org