UN also passed resolutions vs defamation of religions

Published August 14, 2011 10:12pm

The latest stand of the United Nations on blasphemy is not without limits, considering previous resolutions have been passed not only by the 18 â€œeminent legal jurists" of the UN Committee Human Rights (UNCHR) but even by the General Assembly, which is the UNâ€™s highest authoritative body. The UN became alarmed at the intensification of the campaign of defamation of religions and the religious profiling of Muslim minorities, in the aftermath of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. Several resolutions bearing the same title â€œCombating defamation of religions" were passed by the Committeeâ€™s precursor body, the Human Rights Commission (HRC), beginning 2001 until 2005. Eventually, the UN General Assembly itself passed a resolution with that title in 2005, with 101 states voting in favor, 53 voting against, and 20 abstaining. The Philippines voted in favor. In March 2006, the HRC became the UNHRC. The UNHRC approved a resolution titled â€œCombating Defamation of Religions," and submitted it to the General Assembly that passed it after voting. The Philippines again voted for the resolution. In December 2007, the General Assembly, after voting, passed another resolution with the same title; In November 2008, the General Assembly's Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural) approved a resolution, again titled â€œCombating defamation of religions." The latest draft of the resolution (A/C.3/64/L.27) was approved on Oct. 29, 2009 by the General Assemblyâ€™s Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural) by a vote that had 81 states (including the Philippines) in favor, 55 against, and 43 abstaining. But the General Assembly also approved a different resolution on Dec. 18, 2009, â€œdeploring the defamation of religions" by a vote of 80 nations in favor and 61 against with 42 abstentions. The UN resolution â€œCombating Defamation of Religions" (A/C.3/64/L.27) stressed that â€œthe defamation of religions is a serious affront to human dignity leading to the illicit restriction of the freedom of religion." The General Assemblyâ€™s Third Committee, through the resolution, made many determinations and statements, including that the UN:

â€œDeplores the use of the print, audio-visual and electronic media, including the Internet, and any other means to incite acts of violence, xenophobia or related intolerance and discrimination against any religion, as well as targeting of religious symbols;"

â€œEmphasizes that, as stipulated in international human rights law, everyone has the right to hold opinions without interference, and has the right to freedom of expression, the exercise of which 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;"

â€œAlso urges all States 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;"

â€œWelcomes the recent steps taken by Member States to protect freedom of religion through the enactment or strengthening of domestic frameworks and legislations to prevent the defamation of religions and the negative stereotyping of religious groups." [Click here for PDF format of UN resolution "Combating Defamation of Religions" (A/C.3/64/L.27)] On March 25, 2010, the UNHRC passed a â€œCombating Defamation of Religions" resolution but which was met with criticism that â€œconcept used to justify censorship [and] criminalization." In March 2011, the UN Human Rights Council shifted from protecting beliefs to protection of believers in its resolution. â€” Marlon Anthony Tonson/KBK, GMA News

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