Since 1999 several resolutions entitled “Combating Defamation of Religions” have been adopted by various United Nations bodies, including the UN Commission on Human Rights, the new UN Human Rights Council and, in 2007 and 2008, by the UN General Assembly itself. A similar resolution is likely to come up before the General Assembly at the end of 2009.

The IHEU policy paper, Speaking Freely About Religion: Religious Freedom, Defamation and Blasphemy, is available for download at the bottom of this page.

Speaking Freely About Religion:
Religious Freedom, Defamation and Blasphemy

Executive Summary

In a brave attempt at the Human Rights Council to re-establish their credentials as a team player on the world stage, the United States is co-sponsoring a resolution with Egypt on Freedom of Expression. The intent of the resolution is, in the words of the Egyptian delegate, to bring the Human Rights Council “to a point of convergence” on what has become the most divisive and contentious issue in the short history of the Council.

In a letter sent to the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, IHEU's President Sonja Eggerickx has protested at the attack on Leo Igwe last week. Other protests are also being sent by IHEU Member Organizations.

In a travesty of democratic debate, only six non-governmental organizations were allowed to speak in the debate on the Sudan at the Human Rights Council on 16 June, and the first three selected to speak were organizations funded by the government of Sudan. Despite having registered to speak when the list had opened on 2nd June, IHEU were pre-empted by the apologists for the Sudanese Government under a UN rule giving preference to NGOs "not represented" in Geneva.

IHEU has criticized China's human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council, meeting in Geneva. Particular points mentioned were China's interpretation of human rights concepts, freedom of expression, capital punishment and freedom of the press. We have a video and the full text of the statement available.

IHEU representative Cathy Buchs today [8 June 2009] defended Freedom of Expression during a general debate at the 11th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. IHEU applauded the report to the Council by UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Frank La Rue, in which he had advised the Council and the UN General Assembly to desist from further statements regarding defamation of religion. Video and the full text of the IHEU statement are available here.

On the 24th of November 2008, the UN passed a draft resolution against defaming religion. It was sponsored by the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). They want nations to pass legislation against blasphemy. At this point in time, it is optional for each member nation of the UN to adopt this resolution.

The Economist has featured IHEU's spirited defence of freedom of expression at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. In an article in the latest issue, "Diplomacy, Faith and Freedom", the magazine highlights the statement coordinated by IHEU and signed by over 200 NGOs.

207 organizations from 46 Countries (and European and International organizations) have indicated their support for the Joint Statement on Defamation of Religions.