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U.S., Europeans say Islamic countries want to limit free speech
The Associated Press , Geneva | Tue, 04/01/2008 6:29 PM | World
The United States, Canada and some European countries say Islamic countries are trying to limit freedom of speech by linking it to religious discrimination.
Last week, Islamic and Arab nations asked the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council's expert on freedom of expression to report on cases of racial and religious discrimination. The council approved the request last week.
U.S. diplomats say that move will criminalize free speech. EU officials say the role of monitoring free speech should not be a part of the independent rights expert's job.
European countries and Canada abstained in the vote and the U.S. is not a rights council member. (****)
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Kamapradipta I. (not verified) — Wed, 04/02/2008 - 9:20pm
With respect to the resolution on the right to freedom of opinion and expression sponsored by Canada and the EU, it must be put on the record that the OIC, Arab League and the African Group tabled an ammendment to the resolution which calls on the special rapporteur "to report on instances in which the abuses of the right constitutes an act of racial and religious discrimination in accordance to the International Convention of Civil and Political Rights (ICPPR) and the Commission on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CERD)" to which Canada and the EU are parties to.
Canada and the EU did not approve of this wordings to which they called on Council members to vote on the particular ammendment. Much to their dissapointment, the Council voted in favour of the ammendment with 27 support, 17 against and 3 abstentions. Subsequent to UN rules and procedures, a vote on the resolution by Council members proceded thereafter with the result 32 support, none against and 15 abstentions.
The ammendment ought not to be interpreted as an attempt to limit or criminalize freedom of expression. It must be understood that it merely intends to call on the special rapporteur to report to the Council on instances pertaining to the 'abuse' of the freedom. No member countries on the Council oppose the principle of the right to freedom of opinion and expression as it is one of the fundamental core of democracy.
The ammendment tabled by the OIC, Arab League and the African Group simply enriches the scope and mandate of the special rapporteur by pointing out that freedom of opinion and expression should be exercised in a responsible fashion without inciting discrimination and hatred to any religion. What ought to be questioned is why did Canada and the EU, as initial sponsors of the resolution, voted against the ammendment, abstained on the resolution and withdrew their sponsorship to the resolution?