UPDATE: U.N. Defamation of Religions
Were preparing for a new round of activity at the U.N. to protect the rights of Christians abroad. I want to update you on the latest on this critical issue.
As you recall, the Organization of Islamic Conference has been behind a troubling resolution called the Combating Defamation of Religions resolution - a measure that a growing number of organizations and legal experts believe does not encourage religious freedom but is often used to silence religious minorities including Christianity in many countries. We have been working with our international affiliate, the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), to oppose this dangerous resolution.
In December, we saw an important vote at the U.N. While the resolution still cleared the U.N. General Assembly, it received less support than ever before - more countries voting no and abstain than registering yes votes.
Now, its reported that the latest push to bring up the Combating Defamation of Religions resolution again has a new twist, according to several news organizations. A report by CNN indicates that the OIC proposal will now focus on making this resolution binding - a move that wouldnt allow nations to opt out.
The United Nations has adopted what it calls a Resolution to Combat Defamation of Religion, Dobbs said in the report. The U.N. now wants to make that anti-blasphemy resolution binding on member nations, including, of course, our own. That would make it a crime in the
As our international team prepares for hearings next week on this very issue before the U.N. Human Rights Council in
In the past, we have generated tremendous support in opposition to this resolution and weve heard from some 400,000 Americans who understood the danger of this resolution - a resolution that is harmful, not helpful, to preserving religious liberty and freedom.
In addition to working to convince nations to withhold support for this resolution, the ECLJ also delivered an oral argument before the U.N.s Human Rights Council. You can read the ECLJs written submission to the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights here.
I will keep you posted as we prepare for another round on this very important issue.