UN Rights Council Passes Islamic Resolution on Religious Defamation

March 27, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The International Herald Tribune

Wire Service: AP

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/27/news/UN-GEN-UN-Rights-Council.php

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.