Islamic representatives threaten freedom of speech expert at UN

National Secular Society
June 5, 2009

https://www.legal-project.org/381/islamic-representatives-threaten-freedom

Excerpt:

Islamic states launched an extraordinary attack on a United Nations-appointed special expert on freedom of expression, who had said that speech should not be restricted in order to protect religion. "Restrictions should never be used to protect particular institutions or abstract notions, concepts or beliefs, including religious ones," wrote Frank La Rue, special rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression in his report presented to the Human Rights Council this week.

La Rue, a Guatemalan human rights jurist, said restrictions to prevent intolerance should only be applied to "advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence." He also called on the council, and the UN General Assembly in New York, not to adopt resolutions that support the idea of defamation of religion.

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