IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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Campaigns And Advocacy - International
15 November 2011
States should support draft UN resolution against belief-based discrimination, says ARTICLE 19
SOURCE: ARTICLE 19
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - 15 November 2011 - ARTICLE 19 urges Member States of the United Nations to support in the General
Assembly the upcoming United Arab Emirates' draft resolution on combating discrimination, violence, and incitement to
violence against persons based on their religion or beliefs.
The draft follows Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 of 24 March 2011 and is titled "Resolution on combating
intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence
against persons based on religion or belief." It was proposed by the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Organization
of Islamic Conference and is currently at the Third Committee stage prior to being put before the General Assembly. If
adopted, it would consolidate a growing international consensus towards dealing with acts of discrimination on grounds
of religion or belief in ways that are in accordance with international human rights standards.
ARTICLE 19 welcomes the draft resolution's complete omission of the ambiguous "defamation of religions" - a term
incompatible with international human rights standards on the right to freedom of expression - and the focus on
combating discrimination against persons. The draft is in line with General Comment No 34 of the UN Human Rights
Committee of July 2011 that states that "prohibitions of displays of lack of respect for a religion or other belief
system, including blasphemy laws, are incompatible with the Covenant, except in the specific circumstances envisaged in
article 20, paragraph 2, of the Covenant".
However, ARTICLE 19 suggests that the title and subject of the draft resolution should be shortened by omitting the
vague terms of "intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization". The resolution should simply concern "combating
discrimination, violence and incitement to violence against persons based on religion or belief". Notwithstanding this
weakness, states should support the draft resolution.
ARTICLE 19 also welcomes the draft's reiteration that: "open public debate of ideas, as well as interreligious and
intercultural dialogue ... [are] among the best protections against religious intolerance". It calls on states to create
"collaborative networks to build mutual understanding, promoting dialogue and inspiring constructive action ... such as
servicing projects in the fields of education, health, conflict prevention, employment, integration and media
education". Such provisions reflect the positive approach to international human rights standards embodied in the Camden
Principles on Freedom of Expression and Equality.
A number of features in the draft further develop the approach of Resolution 16/18. New paragraphs in the preamble
reaffirm the: "universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated" nature of all human rights; emphasise the
"importance of dialogue among and within religions and cultures"; and underline that "states, regional organisations,
non-governmental organisations, religious bodies and the media have an important role to play in promoting tolerance and
respect for religious and cultural diversity and ... human rights".
The draft also requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to include updates on states' efforts to foster a
domestic environment of religious tolerance, and asks the Secretary General to submit a report on steps taken by states
to implement the resolution at the next session of the General Assembly.
The draft resolution does not alter states' existing international human rights treaty obligations, including those
under Articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the right to freedom of
expression and the prohibition of incitement.
ARTICLE 19 strongly urges Member States of the General Assembly to support the draft resolution.
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Click below to download the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18: (36 KB)
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For more information:
ARTICLE 19
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info (@) article19.org
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