New UN resolution deplores religious defamation

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution Friday deploring the defamation of religions and expressing concern that Islam is frequently and wrongly associated with terrorism and human rights violations.

The nonbinding resolution, sponsored by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, was adopted by a vote of 80-61 with 42 abstentions.

The United States and many European and developed nations voted against it. Many see it as an interference in freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

Rep. Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat who is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the resolution "fails to solve the very real problems of religious discrimination and hatred" and "further promotes intolerance and human rights violations by curtailing individuals' rights to express their religious beliefs."

He noted that the General Assembly has adopted "defamation of religion" resolutions annually since 2005 — and this year it was approved by the smallest margin yet.

Among other things, the resolution expresses "deep concern at the negative stereotyping of religions and manifestations of intolerance and discrimination in matters of religion or belief."

It also expresses deep concern over "the programs and agendas pursued by extremist organizations" as well as "religious hatred in general, including the ethnic and religious profiling of Muslim minorities in the aftermath of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001" when terrorists attacked the United States.

The resolution also "expresses deep concern ... that Islam is frequently and wrongly associated with human rights violations and terrorism."