UN Human Rights Council Passes Resolution against Human Rights

The United Nations has repeatedly been used by Islamic organizations and countries to silence critics of Islam. The UN Human Rights Council is one of the main areas in which this has occurred. Today, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution against "defamation of religions." Story from the AP.

The top U.N. rights body on Thursday passed a resolution proposed by Islamic countries saying it is deeply concerned about the defamation of religions and urging governments to prohibit it.

The European Union said the text was one-sided because it primarily focused on Islam.

The U.N. Human Rights Council, which is dominated by Arab and other Muslim countries, adopted the resolution on a 21-10 vote over the opposition of Europe and Canada.

EU countries, including France, Germany and Britain, voted against. Previously EU diplomats had said they wanted to stop the growing worldwide trend of using religious anti-defamation laws to limit free speech.

The document, which was put forward by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, "expresses deep concern at attempts to identify Islam with terrorism, violence and human rights violations."

Although the text refers frequently to protecting all religions, the only religion specified as being attacked is Islam, to which eight paragraphs refer.

Speaking for the EU, Slovenian Ambassador Andrej Logar said the 27-nation body was committed to tolerance, nondiscrimination and freedom of religion. But instead of a one-sided approach, it would be better to engage in dialogue with mutual respect.

The resolution "urges states to take actions to prohibit the dissemination ... of racist and xenophobic ideas" and material that would incite to religious hatred. It also urges states to adopt laws that would protect against hatred and discrimination stemming from religious defamation.

The agenda of the OIC is quite clear, they want to curtail free speech in the West when that speech involves Islam. They don't want anyone to be able to say anything that could possibly insult or mock Islam. They want to be above criticism, and they want to punish those who disagree. They want to impose a blasphemy law protecting Islam. They are against the basic freedoms of the West, and deserve no respect whatsoever.

Let me be clear, I am fully in favor of freedom of speech. I believe freedom of speech gives people the right to insult or mock others. People should be allowed to insult or poke fun at any religion as they see fit, and I don't believe government should be allowed to interfere in that. I think the Bill of Rights is one of the most important documents ever created, and the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights are nonnegotiable. If the OIC doesn't like the Bill of Rights, tough.

(Hat tip: Hot Air)