Coalition to Defend Free Speech Announced

Sep 30, 2008

WHAT:    Press conference announcing The Coalition to Defend Free Speech

WHY:     To oppose the campaign at the United Nations for international blasphemy laws

WHERE:  National Press Club, Washington, D.C.

WHEN:    12:30 P.M. Thursday, October 2, 2008

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:  First Amendment Advocate Floyd Abrams and Kevin “Seamus” Hasson, president of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

September 30, 2008 — The United Nations General Assembly, now in session in New York, is about to take up another "defamation of religion" resolution, which is another step toward criminalizing peaceful speech.

Originally proposed by Pakistan and the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 1999, a U.N. resolution condemning the “defamation of Islam” evolved into resolutions opposing the “defamation of religions.” Meant to curtail speech that some find offensive, the resolutions have the effect of stifling religious debate and discussion.

“These laws are part of a worldwide campaign to create international blasphemy laws. They are an assault on free speech and the free exercise of religion, couched in the diplomatic language of tolerance and respect,” said Kevin “Seamus” Hasson, founder and president of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. “The Becket Fund has been opposing these laws at the United Nations and around the world for years, and we are proud to be a part of this coalition.”

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all human beings have the right to free speech and the free exercise of religion.

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance,” says the Declaration.

Hasson said that the U.N. resolutions fly in the face of the U.N. charter.

“An anti-defamation law is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. In passing these resolutions, the United Nations is damaging its credibility in the name of protecting hurt feelings,” said Hasson. “It is nothing but a gussied-up blasphemy law, and blasphemy laws ultimately hurt everyone and all believers, because they implicitly empower governments to decide which religious truth is right or wrong.”

Coalition Honorary Chair Floyd Abrams, the nation’s preeminent free speech and free press advocate, agreed.

“The ever more shrill and dangerous efforts, at the UN and elsewhere, to criminalize much commentary about religions strike at the heart of core principles of freedom of expression,” he said.  “Whether those efforts are directed at Danish cartoonists, novelists such as Salmon Rushdie, or movie-makers around the world, they imperil the rights of us all and must be resisted.”

The Coalition includes The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, American Jewish Congress, Freedom House, The International Quranic Center, American Values, The Rutherford Institute, and Dr. Morton Halperin.

We hope you can join us at the National Press Club on Thursday, October 2 at 12:30 PM. The address is:  529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004.

For directions, click here.

Based in Washington, D.C., The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is a nonpartisan, interfaith, public-interest law firm dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions.

To arrange an interview with a Becket Fund attorney or official, contact Tom Carter at 202-349-7205, or 202-538-2044 (cell), or becketfund.carter@gmail.com.

Related Media Coverage

FOXNews.com - "U.N. Anti-Blasphemy Resolution Curtails Free Speech," by Jennifer Lawinski