This morning, Thann Bennett contacted me regarding the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting.  The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) introduced the new Defamation of Religion Resolution.  Here is Thann’s report:

Our team is on the ground in Geneva continuing to meet with Ambassadors from around the globe, including Eastern and Western Europe, South America and Africa. 

We are making the legal arguments for why the Defamation of Religions resolution that’s being promoted by the OIC is so dangerous.  This resolution allows for the criminalization of anything that “defames” religion, and specifically Islam.  In other words, proclaiming the Gospel would be outlawed and subject to prosecution if this resolution should pass.  Not only is this extremely troubling, but it's also in direct violation of the international human rights law that protects individuals' right to believe as they choose.

Today we’re making an “oral intervention” during debate in the Human Rights Council chamber itself.  We will be drawing specific attention to the dire state of Christians around the world, and plainly pointing out why passing the Defamation of Religions resolution would be a terrible mistake.

As you know, we've been very vocal on this issue and last June, our international affiliate - the European Centre for Law & Justice (ECLJ) submitted to the U.N. High Commissioner of Human Rights a detailed legal analysis. You can read the analysis here.  

We understand that the OIC is continuing its closed-door meetings regarding this disturbing resolution.  At the same time, we're still trying to determine when this resolution will be formally introduced.  This session is scheduled to end March 27th, so we're working hard to continue to make our case for Christians around the world.

As our meetings with Ambassadors continue, I want to report that we continue to make progress explaining and outlining our position.  Each and every vote is important, because the Human Rights Council is made up of only 47 countries, 16 of which belong to the OIC.  Further, only 22 of these countries are classified as “free” countries.  However, even if the Human Rights Council were to approve the Defamation of Religions resolution, it's important for countries that choose to protect religious freedom to vote in opposition before the Human Rights Council.  The next step in the process will occur at the General Assembly in New York later this year, where the full United Nations will vote.

If you haven't done so already, please take a moment to add your name to our petition in opposition to this resolution.   You can add your name here.  We will keep you posted on further developments.