Today, the Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted a resolution put forth by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemning acts of religious hatred, such as the burning of the Quran, despite opposition from several western countries led by the United States.
Out of the votes cast, 28 countries, mostly Islamic, voted in favor of the resolution, while 12, mostly from the European Union, in addition to the United Kingdom and the United States, opposed it. Seven countries, mainly from Latin America, abstained from voting.
Decisions of the Human Rights Council are not legally binding but are regarded as potent political commitments by countries. The proposal urged nations to "obstruct, prevent, and prosecute acts and calls for religious hatred."
Countries that voted 'yes' include: Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, India, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Countries that voted 'no' comprise: Belgium, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Romania, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Countries that abstained from voting: Benin, Chile, Georgia, Honduras, Mexico, Nepal, and Paraguay.
The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom yesterday urged the United Nations to vote against the Pakistani resolution, claiming it poses a risk to freedom of expression.
This development occurred during an emergency special session convened by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation during the regular 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The 47-member council discussed the resolution on campaigns of abuse and assault targeting the Holy Quran recently in Europe.
The proposal called for the condemnation of assaults on the Quran, categorized as religious hatred.
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