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Explanation of Vote by Ambassador T. Vance McMahan, U.S. Representative to the General Assembly, on agenda item 64(b), L22: “Combating defamation of religions,” to the Third Committee of the 63rd Session of the General Assembly, 24 November 2008

Mr. Chairman,
We appreciate the aim of the sponsors of this resolution to address and enumerate the denigration of religion in a number of its manifestations.  We agree with several of the general tenets contained in the draft.  It addresses the importance of education, expresses concern about perpetuation of stereotypes, and calls upon public officials to respect all persons, regardless of their religion or belief.  We also appreciate the co-sponsors' agreement to expand the resolution to take into consideration a variety of religious traditions, rather than focus exclusively on one of many, as it has in years past.
My government deplores hateful speech and hopes to work closely with members and organizations of all faiths to map out appropriate responses and remedies for intolerance.  Our strong view, as reiterated by our President during the inter-faith dialogue here last week, is that people who are free to express their opinions are also free to challenge the ideologies of hate.  The answer for hateful speech is more speech, more information, and more dialogue -- not less.
We are concerned that some, however, are seeking to restrict freedom of expression in the name of preventing the defamation of religions and, by doing so, contributing to more divisiveness - not greater understanding.   We can and should have a dialogue about the need for increased tolerance, greater awareness, and less stereotyping, and that dialogue needs to take place in an open atmosphere -- with all people able to lend their voices and improve their understanding.  Without the freedom to share thoughts and opinions we cannot hope to break down the barriers that lead to violence and hate.   As we said last week, my government calls on all UNGA Members, particularly in the year in which we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, to re-affirm the freedom of expression and to call to account those who misuse UN resolutions to harass, jail, or torture individuals for nothing more than the expression of their opinions and beliefs.
We are also concerned that the resolution conflates the very real, and distinct, issues of racism and religious discrimination, and that it therefore does little to move us further on either of these important issues or to prevent the perpetuation of stereotypes.  The language in the resolution appears to suggest that, like an individual’s race, one’s religion is a characteristic that he or she cannot change -- an idea that conflicts with the explicit language of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.  Governments must respect the right of individuals to choose a religion, as well as to change religions, and must respect the freedom to manifest his or her religion in teaching, practice, and observance.  This, of course, means that countries must not discriminate against individuals who choose a particular religion or choose to practice no religion at all.  We strongly support efforts to combat religious intolerance and racism, but we believe it is unhelpful and incorrect to suggest that race and religion are one and the same.  My government believes that these two important issues merit separate consideration.
For these reasons, we will vote no on the resolution before us today.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.Mr. Chairman,