Don't ‘defend' religion by silencing free speech

Excerpt:

A draft resolution scheduled for consideration by a committee of the United Nations General Assembly threatens to criminalize criticism of religion.

In its current form, the resolution would declare defamation of religion to be a violation of international law. The resolution's drafters hope to circumvent free-speech statutes in other countries, including the United States' own First Amendment.

The resolution is the culmination of many years of quiet work by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, representing more than 50 Muslim nations. The OIC has set as a goal the criminalization of any "defamation of religion, especially Islam" — and is perversely advancing the resolution under the guise of protecting human rights.

By making "defamation of religion" a crime under international law, nations would be able to seek extradition and trial abroad of persons who make statements critical or offensive to one or all faiths anywhere in the world.

This is not merely a hypothetical.

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