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Religious and secular warnings on UN religious defamation vote

Religious and secular organizations have expressed concern that a new United Nations resolution to protect religious ideologies may do so at the expense of freedom of expression, reports Ecumenical News International.

On 26 March, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed the non-binding measure, which is the latest in a series against hate speech and "defamation of religion".

The process began in 1999, when Pakistan first called for such a resolution. "Who determines when a religion is defamed?" Barry Bussey, director of legislative affairs for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, was quoted as saying in a 27 March report from the Adventist News Network.

"[This resolution] is simply too fraught with possibilities of abuse of power," he added. Bussey called for more concerted opposition when the resolution comes up for renewal next year.

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TAGS: United Nations Religious and secular organizations hate speech "defamation of religion"

[03/31/2009]

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