In the aftermath of a recent incident involving the burning of a Koran in Sweden, several Muslim states, including Iran and Pakistan, have urged the United Nations to take action against the desecration, which they view as an act of inciting religious hatred. The UN Human Rights Council engaged in a heated debate on the matter as Pakistan presented a motion calling for a report from the UN rights chief and urging states to review their laws to ensure the prevention and prosecution of religiously motivated acts of hatred.
The discussion highlighted a divide within the Human Rights Council, with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a Muslim alliance, clashing with Western members who expressed concerns about the implications for freedom of speech and the potential challenges to long-standing practices in rights protection.
The incident involved an Iraqi immigrant burning the Koran outside a mosque in Stockholm, which triggered widespread outrage across the Muslim world and sparked protests in various cities in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, addressed the Geneva council through a video statement, denouncing the act as an incitement to religious hatred, discrimination, and violence. He accused the perpetrators of acting with the support and impunity of the government. Echoing these sentiments, ministers from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia condemned the act as an act of Islamophobia and called for an end to the abuse of freedom of expression.
While Germany’s ambassador strongly condemned the burning as a distressing provocation, she also emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedom of speech, even when confronted with opinions that may be deemed intolerable. France’s representative expressed the view that human rights should focus on protecting individuals rather than religions and their symbols.
Despite intense negotiations, a breakthrough was not reached on Tuesday, and a vote is expected. Given that OIC countries constitute 19 of the 47 members of the council and enjoy support from countries like China, the motion is likely to pass.
Addressing the council, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk condemned inflammatory acts targeting Muslims, as well as other religious or minority groups, stating that such actions are offensive, irresponsible, and fundamentally wrong.
