UN Human Rights Council condemns acts of religious hatred

Two weeks after an Iraqi refugee burned pages of the Koran in Sweden, the UN Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning the burning of the Koran and other acts of religious hatred.

The United Nations Human Rights Council, 24 November 2022. © VALENTIN FLAURAUD / AFP

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The resolution condemns "any advocacy or manifestation of religious hatred" and mentions "recent, public, or premeditated acts that have desecrated the Koran." A reference to the burning of a copy of the holy book in Sweden two weeks ago by an Iraqi refugee in the country outside Stockholm's largest mosque and during Eid al-Adha, a holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world.

The case had aroused indignation in part of the Muslim world and monster demonstrations had taken place in Pakistan or against the Swedish embassy in Iraq. It comes in addition to other episodes deemed offensive in some Muslim countries, such as the publication in the press of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

#HRC53 | Council of #droitsdelhomme
adopts resolution on combating religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence-reviews
situations in CAR & Ukraine

Report of @ONUGeneve⤵️https://t.co/bJ8hpxNm0v

— United Nations Human Rights Council 📍 #HRC53 (@UN_HRC) July 12, 2023

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Freedomof expression

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The text initiated by Pakistan was adopted by 28 of the 47 members of the UN Human Rights Council. While China or India voted in favour, some, such as Benin, abstained. Others, however, voted against. This is the case of the France, the United Kingdom or the United States which, while condemning these acts, have highlighted freedom of expression. "We regret to have to vote against this unbalanced text, but it contradicts long-standing positions on freedom of expression," said US Ambassador Michele Taylor.

Some Latin American countries abstained, including Mexico and Honduras, believing - as did Western countries - that more time would have been needed to negotiate and reach consensus. Mexico said Thursday before the vote that "any expression critical of religions does not in itself constitute incitement to violence and discrimination."

The text calls on countries that have not done so to adopt laws to bring the perpetrators of these manifestations of religious hatred to justice, but it is not binding. None of the states will be forced to change their legislation.

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