The resolution (No. 62/154) opposing the "defamation of religions" (just passed in final form by a committee of the United Nations and now awaiting the probably inevitable rubber-stamp of the full General Assembly) is every bit as bad as I thought it would be.
The full text is available at
this link in pdf format (just click on the desired language).
And Christopher Hitchens's essay in
Slate about the resolution is
here.
In particular, note these two recitals:
Quote:
Underlining the importance of increasing contacts at all levels in order to deepen dialogue and reinforce understanding among different cultures, religions, beliefs and civilizations, and welcoming in this regard the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the Ministerial Meeting on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, held in Tehran on 3 and 4 September 2007,
. . . .
Alarmed at the serious instances of intolerance, discrimination and acts of violence based on religion or belief, intimidation and coercion motivated by extremism, religious or otherwise, occurring in many parts of the world, in addition to the negative projection of Islam in the media and the introduction and enforcement of laws that specifically discriminate against and target Muslims, particularly Muslim minorities following the events of 11 September 2001, and threatening the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
and Paragraphs 5, 10, and 12 of the Resolution itself:
Quote:
5. Also expresses its deep concern that Islam is frequently and wrongly associated with human rights violations and terrorism;
9. Stresses the need to effectively combat defamation of all religions and incitement to religious hatred, against Islam and Muslims in particular;
10. Emphasizes that everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference and the right to freedom of expression, and that the exercise of these rights carries with it special duties and responsibilities and may therefore be subject to limitations as are provided for by law and are necessary for respect of the rights or reputations of others, protection of national security or of public order, public health or morals and respect for religions and beliefs;
11. Urges States to take action to prohibit the advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence;
12. Also urges States to provide, within their respective legal and constitutional systems, adequate protection against acts of hatred, discrimination, intimidation and coercion resulting from defamation of religions, to take all possible measures to promote tolerance and respect for all religions and beliefs and the understanding of their value systems and to complement legal systems with intellectual and moral strategies to combat religious hatred and intolerance;
The irony of holding an international conference on "human rights and cultural diversity" in Tehran was apparently lost on the committee that drafted Resolution 62/154.
People have rights. People can be defamed. People should practice respect for other people (until they demonstrate that they have ceased to deserve respect by not reciprocating or by violating the rights of others). But the notion that "religions" (as ideas or systems of doctrine and ritual) have rights, must be "respected," or can be "defamed" is an extremely dangerous development.