U.S. opposes bid to limit freedoms

By The Associated Press Comments 0
Published: October 27, 2009

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Monday came out strongly against efforts by Islamic nations to bar the defamation of religions, saying the moves would restrict free speech.

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"Some claim that the best way to protect the freedom of religion is to implement so-called anti-defamation policies that would restrict freedom of expression and the freedom of religion,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told reporters. "I strongly disagree.”

Clinton said the United States was opposed to negative depictions of specific faiths and would always fight against belief-based discrimination. But she said a person’s ability to practice their religion was entirely unrelated to another person’s right to free speech.

"The protection of speech about religion is particularly important since persons of different faith will inevitably hold divergent views on religious questions,” Clinton said. "These differences should be met with tolerance, not with the suppression of discourse.”

Her comments came as the Organization of the Islamic Conference is pressing a resolution condemning defamation of religion.