UN “defamation of religion” fight goes on
In spite of the recent redraft of the outcome document erasing references to defamation of religion and Israel, many still fear that the OIC are not going to give up the fight to have their metaphysical opinions shielded from nasty words. Reuters reports that
Some 200 secular, religious and media groups from around the world on Wednesday urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to reject a call from Islamic countries for a global fight against “defamation of religion.”
Meanwhile, a Number10 petition has been set up:
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure that the UK Government uses all of its powers to reject and, if possible, veto any attempt at the United Nations to limit free speech in relation to religion and any associated attempt to criminalise the criticism of religion and encourage other governments to similarly reject/veto any such attempt.
(Hat tip Nullifidian)
UPDATE: (27 March) They went and adopted it anyway. They’ve been doing this every year since 1999. As Roy Brown of the International Humanist and Ethical Union points out, such resolutions are not binding, but they are permissive. That means they legitimise repressive legislation by the human-rights abusing governments who endorse them.
The fight for the Durban draft document goes on.
Sign it where?
Fixed. Thanks Rik.
Better, thanks.
Meanwhile serial ant-semite Mahatir Mohammed is speaking in London ..
Defaming other’s religions (and none), but vigorously “defending” his own version of woo (Dark-Ages camelherders’ woo, actually) …
Depressing isn’t it?
That`s it exactly – don`t these nutters realize that a law banning “defamation of religion” would spike their own guns completely, as they wouldn`t be able to continue to rant about Jews, Chrisitians et al as they do at present? They`re absolutely priceless!!