UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. Distr. \* MERGEFORMAT LIMITED Symbol \* MERGEFORMAT A/HRC/7/L.15 19 March 2008 Original: Orig. Lang. \* MERGEFORMAT ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Seventh session Agenda item 9 RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED FORMS OF INTOLERANCE, FOLLOW-UP AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DURBAN DECLARATION AND PROGRAMME OF ACTION Pakistan (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference): draft resolution 7/… Combating defamation of religions The Human Rights Council, Recalling the Outcome Document of the World Summit 2005 adopted in resolution 60/1 of 24 October 2005 which emphasized the responsibilities of all States, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language or religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, and which acknowledged the importance of respect and understanding for religious and cultural diversity throughout the world, * Non-member States of the Human Rights Council. Recalling also the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted in September 2001 by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (A/CONF.189/12 and Corr.1), Recalling further the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination based on Religion or Belief, proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 36/551 of 25 November, 1981, Recognizing the valuable contributions of all religions to modern civilization and the contribution that dialogue among civilizations can make to an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all humankind, Noting the Declaration adopted at the 34th Session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers at Islamabad, Pakistan in May 2007, which condemned the growing trend of Islamophobia and systematic discrimination against the adherents of Islam as well as emphasized the need to take effective measures to combat defamation of religions, Noting also the Final Communiqué adopted at the 11th Summit of the OIC at Dakar, Senegal in March 2008, which expressed concern at the systematically negative stereotyping of Muslims, Islam and other divine religions as well as denounced the overall rise in intolerance and discrimination against Muslim minorities, which constitute an affront to human dignity and run counter to the international human rights instruments, Recalling the joint statement of OIC, EU and the UN Secretary General of February 7, 2006 which, inter alia, recognized the need, in all societies, to show sensitivity and responsibility in treating issues of special significance for the adherents of any particular faith, even by those who do not share the belief in question, Affirming the call made by the President of the General Assembly in his statement on 15 March 2006 that in the wake of existing mistrust and tensions in today’s world, there was the need for dialogue and understanding among civilizations, cultures and religions to commit to working together to prevent provocative or regrettable incidents and to evolve better ways of promoting tolerance, respect for and freedom of religion and belief, Welcoming all international and regional initiatives to promote cross-cultural and interfaith harmony including the Alliance of Civilizations and the Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation and their valuable efforts towards promotion of a culture of peace and dialogue at all levels, Welcoming the report by the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on the “Situation of Muslims and Arabs in various parts of the world” (E/CN.4/2006/17), Also welcoming the reports of the Special Rapporteur on submitted to the Human Rights Council at its fourth and sixth sessions (A/HRC/4/19 & A/HRC/6/6), in which he draws the attention of member States to the serious nature of the defamation of all religions and to the promotion of the fight against these phenomena by strengthening the role of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, promoting reciprocal understanding and joint action to meet the fundamental challenges of development, peace and the protection and promotion of human rights, as well as the need to complement legal strategies, Reiterating the call made by the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to member states to wage a systematic campaign against incitement to racial and religious hatred by maintaining a careful balance between the defence of secularism and respect for freedom of religion and by acknowledging and respecting the complementarity of all the freedoms embodied in the ICCPR, Emphasizing that States, non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and the media have an important role to play in promoting tolerance and freedom of religion and belief through education, Noting with concern that defamation of religions is among the causes of social disharmony and instability, at the national and international levels, and leads to violations of human rights, Noting with deep concern the increasing trend in recent years of statements attacking religions, Islam and Muslims including in human rights forums, 1. Expresses concern at negative stereotyping of all religions and manifestations of intolerance and discrimination in matters of religion or belief; 2. Expresses deep concern at attempts to identify Islam with terrorism, violence and human rights violations and emphasizes that equating any religion with terrorism should be rejected and combated by all at all levels; 3. Notes with deep concern the intensification of the campaign of defamation of religions and the ethnic and religious profiling of Muslim minorities, in the aftermath of the tragic events of 11 September 2001; 4. Expresses its grave concern at the serious recent instances of deliberate stereotyping of religions, their adherents and sacred persons in the media and by political parties and groups in some societies, and at the associated provocation and political exploitation; 5. Recognizes that, in the context of the fight against terrorism, defamation of religions becomes an aggravating factor that contributes to the denial of fundamental rights and freedoms of target groups, as well as their economic and social exclusion; 6. Also expresses concern at laws or administrative measures that have been specifically designed to “control” and “monitor” Muslim minorities, thereby stigmatizing them further and legitimating the discrimination that they experience; 7. Strongly deplores physical attacks and assaults on businesses, cultural centres and places of worship of all religions as well as targeting of religious symbols; A/HRC/4/123 8. Urges States to take actions to prohibit the dissemination, including through political institutions and organizations, of racist and xenophobic ideas and material aimed at any religion or its followers that constitute incitement to racial and religious hatred, hostility or violence; 9. Also urges States to provide, within their respective legal and constitutional systems, adequate protection against acts of hatred, discrimination, intimidation and coercion resulting from defamation of any religions, to take all possible measures to promote tolerance and respect for all religions and their value systems and to complement legal systems with intellectual and moral strategies to combat religious hatred and intolerance; 10. Emphasizes that respect of religions and their protection from contempt is an essential element conducive for the exercise by all of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; 11. Further urges all States to ensure that all public officials, including members of law enforcement bodies, the military, civil servants and educators, in the course of their official duties, respect all religions and beliefs and do not discriminate against persons on the grounds of their religion or belief, and that all necessary and appropriate education or training is provided; 12. Emphasizes that, as stipulated in the international human rights law, everyone has the right to freedom of expression, and that the exercise of this right carries with it special duties and responsibilities, and may therefore be subject to certain restrictions but these shall only be as provided by law and are necessary for respect of the rights or reputations of others, or for the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals; 13. Reaffirms that General Comment 15 of the Committee on Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination, which stipulates that the prohibition of the dissemination of all ideas based upon racial superiority or hatred is compatible with the freedom of opinion and expression, is equally applicable to the question of incitement to religious hatred; 14. Deplores the use of the print, audio-visual and electronic media, including the internet, and any other means to incite acts of violence, xenophobia or related intolerance and discrimination towards Islam or any religion; 15. Invites the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to continue to report on all manifestations of defamation of religions and in particular on the serious implications of Islamophobia on the enjoyment of all rights at its ninth session; 16. Requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the Human Rights Council on the implementation of this resolution as well as to present a study compiling relevant existing legislations and jurisprudence concerning defamation of religions and contempt of religions at its ninth session. ----- A/HRC/7/L.15 page \* MERGEFORMAT 6 A/HRC/7/L.15 page \* MERGEFORMAT 5 Word.Picture.8