United States, the United Kingdom as well as the European Union voted against a UN resolution that condemned Quran burnings, and requesting states to prohibit burnings of Quran.
In Geneva in the morning, Geneva, UN Human Rights Council approved the resolution which was sponsored by Pakistan in the early hours of this morning However, a number of Western countries opposed.
The resolution states that this resolution to mean ” It is offensive and disrespectful, as well as clearly a sign that religious hate to deliberately torch in the Holy Quran or any other holy book for the purpose of inciting hostility, hatred or discrimination. affirm that, in accordance with the international human rights law and the law, this act is prohibited in legislation.“
In the 53rd session of UN Human Rights Council, 28 countries voted to support 12 opposed seven abstained, and 12 voted against.
The following countries voted for the UN resolution:
- Algeria
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Cameroon
- China
- Ivory Coast
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- Gabon
- Gambia
- India
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Morocco
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- Senegal
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
The following countries have voted against the UN resolution:
- Belgium
- Costa Rica
- Czech Republic
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Montenegro
- Romania
- UK
- U.S.
Freedom of expression do not align in the UN Resolution, as per those in the United States and the European Union.
It was reported that the U.S. ambassador to the council, Michele Taylor, expressed unwavering condemnation of the act that led to the discussion today which included the destruction of the Holy Quran on June 28 in reference to a incident that occurred in Sweden this month that led to protests throughout the world.
Aiming to strike an “prudent equilibrium” between the freedom of speech and “special obligations and responsibilities” The ambassador Khalil Hashmi from Pakistan insists following the vote.
A few members of the audience are against the destruction of any sacred text or Holy Quran due to their refusal to condemn this action,” Hashmi said. “They did not have the legal, political as well as moral courage oppose this desecration, which is the least they could have done.”
Volker Turk is who is the UN Human Rights High Commissioner, Volker Turk Human Rights, said yesterday: “This urgent debate has been spurred by recent instances of burning of the Quran which is the basis of belief for over a billion of people.” It appears that the incidents, as well as others were designed to display an anger and displeasure and create rifts between people and trigger disagreements of opinion into violence and hatred.”
The restriction on speech or expression should be as a matter of exception, he stated because laws that limit speech are frequently used by the authorities and can be used to limit discussion on important questions. However under certain circumstances, speeches could be considered encouragement toward violence or immorality of other people.
Discrimination, violence and hostility should be banned in all states, he stated.
