Proposed new resolution could be a danger to global free speech – The UN

Barnabas Fund. A new United Nations Resolution has been proposed that represents a dangerous threat to global religious freedom, human rights and free speech. Entitled “Combating Defamation of Religions”, the resolution stresses the need to “effectively combat defamation of all religions and incitement to religious hatred in general and against Islam and Muslims in particular”. The resolution has been penned by Pakistan and circulated by the Muslim countries that dominate the Human Rights Council. It seeks to criminalise “defamation of Islam” and to define any questioning of Islamic beliefs as a human rights violation. No other religion is mentioned explicitly.Most notably, this resolution strikes at the heart of human rights as it seeks to shelter Islam as a faith and ideology from “question, debate or critical inquiry”, as opposed to protecting individual humans. It would make it difficult to critique Islam for its attitude and actions towards women, non-Muslims and apostates who leave Islam. Unfortunately, it is expected that this resolution will be adopted, as Muslim countries make up the majority of the Council. • Pray for guidance and wisdom for members of the Human Rights Council, that they will see the potential damage of this resolution and that they will have the courage to speak out against it.