In a strange twist of fate, Canada joined England, France, and other European countries in voting against a UN resolution brought by the UN Human Rights Council. EU officials were wary of allowing more wide ranging religious anti-defamation laws in case they curbed free speech. Sound familiar?
In any event, the resolution passed 21-10, without Canada's blessing. As the Washington Post reports:
The document, which was put forward by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, "expresses deep concern at attempts to identify Islam with terrorism, violence and human rights violations."This comes on the heels of the latest round in the Canadian Human Rights hearing, where Marc Lemire is accused of having racist and xenophobic ideas on his website. Mark Steyn and Maclean's magazine will be facing their own human rights complaint later in the year, for allegedly insulting Islamic people.
Although the text refers frequently to protecting all religions, the only religion specified as being attacked is Islam, to which eight paragraphs refer.
Speaking for the EU, Slovenian Ambassador Andrej Logar said the 27-nation body was committed to tolerance, nondiscrimination and freedom of religion. But instead of a one-sided approach, it would be better to engage in dialogue with mutual respect.
The resolution "urges states to take actions to prohibit the dissemination ... of racist and xenophobic ideas" and material that would incite to religious hatred. It also urges states to adopt laws that would protect against hatred and discrimination stemming from religious defamation.
So which is it, Canada?
2 comments:
CHRC complaint to follow - evil conservative government involved.
I give the CPC credit they did pull us out of Durban II as well. I remember a report from the UN - it's somewhere in my blog archives. Canada, 1 of about 2 nations stupid enough to take this particular UN committee seriously shipped almost 35 or so people to attend a conference in New York during which Canada had to refute the charge that immigrants were treated no better than indentured servants and were virtual slaves.
Post a Comment