Civil Society Responds to UN Proposal for Binding Treaty on Defamation of Religions

Nov 10, 2009

The United Nations has continuously passed non-binding resolutions on “defamation of religions” since 1999. However, for the first time ever this year, a UN body proposed a binding treaty to combat the “defamation of religions.” Over 100 NGOS from over 20 countries have signed a Common Statement protesting the resolution.

In a Geneva meeting that concluded on October 30th, Pakistan, on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and Nigeria, on behalf of the Africa Group, proposed a binding treaty amendment to the ICERD, an existing international treaty on racism.

Meanwhile, in New York on October 29th, Syria, on behalf of the OIC, along with Belarus and Venezuela, proposed yet another General Assembly resolution “combating defamation of religions.”

The resolution lends credibility to the proposal of a binding treaty and continues to provide international cover for domestic anti-blasphemy laws in countries like Pakistan and Sudan. A preliminary vote on the resolution is expected before Thanksgiving, and a final plenary vote is expected in early to mid-December.

In response, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has joined over 100 other human rights organizations in a common civil society statement against the concept of “defamation of religions. ” This coalition is indeed an odd group of bedfellows, both religiously diverse with Muslims, Christians, Baha’is, Jews, Hare Krishnas, Atheists, Humanists, and non-religious organizations, and also regionally diverse, hailing from over 20 countries around the world. The civil society statement and signatories are available at www.whatisdefamationofreligion.com.

“Human rights are meant to protect the individuals, not ideas or governments,” said Angela C. Wu, International Law Director of the Becket Fund. “Yet the concept of ‘defamation of religions’ further empowers governments to choose which peacefully expressed ideas are permissible and which are not. It is pivotal for human rights defenders around the globe to unite against this flawed concept before it becomes binding law.”

Please visit http://www.becketfund.org/files/COMMONSTATEMENTSignatories.pdf to download the pdf of the statement and signatories.

The Becket Fund has been a leading advocate against the resolutions and “defamation of religions” concept, and has delivered several interventions before the Human Rights Council and issued a brief on this topic as well as having testified before various governmental bodies, non-governmental bodies and the press.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is a non-profit public interest law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Becket Fund defends religious freedom for people of all faiths. Its clients have included Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians. The Becket Fund is a non governmental organization with consultative status before the United Nations.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Kristina Arriaga, Executive Director, at karriaga@becketfund.org or cell +1.703.582.8962, or email Montserrat Alvarado, Assistant Director of Communications, at malvarado@becketfund.org.

Resources and Documents:

What is “Defamation of Religions?” (http://www.whatisdefamationofreligion.com)

Legal Brief (http://www.becketfundorg/files/ReligiousDefamationIssuesBrief29Octobe2009%28AW%29.pdf)

United Nations Human Rights Council testimony (2006) (http://www.becketfund.org/files/00254.pdf)

United Nations Human Rights Council testimony (2009) (http://www.becketfund.org/files/5f29c.pdf)

Emory Law Review article (http://www.becketfund.org/pdfs/Emory%20Law%20Review%20Summer%2009,%20Defamation.pdf)

(Spanish) ¿Difamando a Dios? La libertad de expresión y el sistema internacional de derechos humanos by Darío Ramírez Salazar of UAM-Azcapotzalco (http://www.libertad-expresion.org.mx/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/cotidiano-dario-ramirez.pdf)

Resources & Documents