Int’l rights groups say no to Egypt UN resolution against “abuse of religion”

Bikya Masr Staff, 18 November 2009
 
CAIRO: As Egypt attempts to move towards pushing the United Nations to adopt a resolution prohibiting the “abuse of religions,” a number of international rights and religious groups have come out opposed to such measures. The group of some 100 organizations, including Coptic, Islamic and international rights groups, have considered the proposed resolution “incompatible with the fundamental freedoms of individuals to express their views and ideas peacefully.”

Cairo has been pushing for a UN resolution after Danish cartoons sparked widespread anger and demonstrations across the region a few years ago. Coupled with the recent tension created after Egyptian Marwa el-Sherbini was murdered in a German courtroom, Egypt believes it is time for a new international law prohibiting the “defamation” of religion and religious figures must be addressed.

The America in Arabic news agency reported that the organizations opposed to the measure, notably Human Rights Watch (HRW), The Jewish Anti-Defamation League, Freedom House, the Islamic American Congress and a number of other Egyptian and Arab Organizations, issued a statement saying that “such a resolution is just a support to the local laws against abuse of religions and religious feelings, which are often used by governments to punish the peaceful expression of beliefs and ideas, whether political or religious.”

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