UNCHR: PROTECTING ISLAM

On Tuesday 12 April 2005, the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), in Geneva, Switzerland, passed Human Rights Resolution 2005/3 entitled, "Combating Defamation of Religions".

Islam On Line reported: ".. a resolution calling for combating defamation campaigns against Islam and Muslims in the West."

Ehtasham Khan reports from Geneva for Rediff.com (India), "The resolution was pushed forward by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Conference. It was put under Agenda Item 6 that deals with racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination."

Khan reports that the United States, United Kingdom and Israel were amongst those nations that voted against the resolution on the grounds that it was unbalanced and biased.

UNCHR Resolution 2005/3 completely fails to address the issue of human rights violations that are legitimised by discriminatory and barbaric religious mandates.

The resolution was formulated by the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and specifically seeks that Islam be protected from "defamation".

Historically, inherent in the charge of defamation is the falsity of the statement. If a person can prove that their statement is true, they cannot be said to have defamed.

Clearly, accusing Islam of being associated with human rights violations is, according to the UNCHR, an act of defamation of Islam. This presents a serious challenge and threat to human rights advocates and reporters. The UNCHR resolution also guarantees that those who pursue an agenda to defame Islam will be branded "extremists".

The UNCHR resolution calls upon States to "actively combat defamation of religions, Islam and Muslims in particular especially in human rights forums". It also calls upon States to provide constitutional and legal protection of Islam against defamation and its consequences, i.e. lack of respect, or hatred.

The UNCHR resolution requests the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to continue to examine the situation of Muslims and Arab peoples in various parts of the world and monitor defamation of Islam. The Special Rapporteur will report his findings to the Commission at its 62nd session (April 2006) and make recommendations to improve their situation.