Explanation of Vote (EOV) by India before the Third Committee

Vote on draft resolution regarding combating defamation of religions (document A/C.3/64/L.27)

New York( 

12 November 2009

INDIA REPRESENTATIVE:  Thank you, Chair, for the microphone which you
 have provided me.  
Mr. Chairman, I have taken the floor to make an explanation [?] of vote before the vote on the draft resolution L.27, as orally revised.  My delegation would like to convey our opposition to the defamation of negative stereotyping of any religion.  
Mr. Chairman, we appreciate the words made by the main cosponsors of the resolution to take into account the concerns of other delegations.  However, our concerns remain on this resolution as it continues to focus on a single religion.  We believe that all religions face negative stereotyping in one situation or another in varying degree.  We feel that this issue is best addressed under the rubric of either religious intolerance or the abuse of the freedom of expression.  We also have reservations at attempts to link this issue with racism.  For these reasons, my delegation will abstain in the voting on the Draft Resolution L.27, as orally revised.  
In addition, Mr. Chairman, we do sincerely hope that next year we will be able to reach a consensus on this resolution.  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  
And I hope I kept your request which was not to jump around and make some songs.