One again, P.Z. Myers brought to my attention [scienceblogs.com] a recent issue of importance to atheist rights I have somehow overlooked. Back in November, the United Nations passed a nonbinding resolution [canada.com], pushed by Islamic countries, urging member states to make blasphemy – that is, anything viewed as criticism of religion, especially Islam – illegal. According to a recent report by CNNs Lou Dobbs, the U.N. general assembly is now considering a new resolution making this binding on member states, which would include us here in the United States. In the video (also imbedded below), Christopher Hitchens and others are interviewed on the subject, and they unsurprisingly are not for it.
Canada gave a great response to the original nonbinding resolution (emphasis added):
“Canada rejects the basic premise that religions have rights; human rights belong to human beings,” said Catherine Loubier, spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.
“The focus (here) should not be on protecting religions, but rather on protecting the rights of the adherents of religions, including of people belonging to religious minorities, or people who may choose to change their religion, or not to practice religion at all.”
The recent CNN report quotes the U.S. government’s response to the proposed binding resolution:
While appearing in name to promote tolerance, the implementation of this concept actually fosters intolerance and has served to justify restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms.