The United States and the United Kingdom, along with other European Union (EU) member states, are set to oppose a draft resolution on religious hatred after the Koran burning incident in Sweden drew a furious reaction from Muslim countries.
During an urgent hearing at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday, the US and Britain declined to condemn the Koran burning incident and announced they would withdraw the draft on religious hatred, citing threats to freedom of expression. Will oppose the proposal.
In a meeting summary by the Human Rights Council, although several leaders called for the adoption of legislation against religious hatred, others called on the council to stand united in upholding both freedom and expression of religion. Some speakers said that the ‘desecration’ of religious books and symbols was not in itself an act of provocation.
He also pointed out that religious defamation laws have given way to widespread censorship and silencing of legitimate expression. He said that a ban on defamation of religion could facilitate and legitimize “horrible” human rights violations against religious minorities.
“While we resolutely disapprove of acts that seek to incite discrimination, enmity or violence, wherever they are committed, we need to recognize that the primary function of the international human rights framework – through centuries of bitter experience made – to protect individuals from the state. Sadly, at this time and in recent years there are many examples in the world where believers – whether religious or not – have been brutally persecuted by those who are the guarantors of their rights. WTO Simon Manley in debate.
Meanwhile, Michelle Taylor, the US ambassador to the UNHRC, also said, “While we abhor expressions of religious hatred, we do not believe that outlawing them can or should curtail freedom of expression.” Accordingly, we regret that we must vote against this text because it conflicts with the deep and long-standing position on freedom of expression of the United States of America regarding freedom of expression and the rights of peaceful assembly as essential elements of any democracy. supports.”
The immediate debate was held after Pakistan submitted an official request on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, calling on the countries to condemn the incidents targeting the Quran.
In late June, a man insulted the Holy Quran in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Initially, Swedish authorities rejected the protesters’ demand saying the burning “could have foreign policy consequences”, but the security risks and potential impacts associated with the protest did not allow the application to be rejected, Politico Report of. However, the Swedish court rejected the police decision citing the protection of freedom of expression in its reasoning.
Muslim countries strongly condemned this action. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Stockholm that he would not support Sweden’s bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). If it failed to respect Muslims. After this Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait also condemned the incident.
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