3 ms·
Freedom of speech is, as you can read in the link I provided, one of several rights, not the only right.
by a_diplomat 9y ago
Freedom of speech is, as you can read in the link I provided, one of several rights, not the only right.
- AmIFirstToThink 9y agoHow do you reconcile Freedom of Speech allowed and “defamation of religion” not being allowed?
- burkaman 9y agohttp://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/16session/A.HRC.RES.16.18_en.pdf http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/16sessio... This is a resolution passed by the Human Rights Council, but it is not a human right. It does not disallow anything. It talks about promoting and encouraging respect, deploring discrimination and violence, noting concern, recognizing contributions, etc. These are all soft, non-binding commitments. The only actual obligation is "to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion or belief and to implement measures to guarantee the equal and effective protection of the law", which does not conflict at all with freedom of speech. It also includes "the positive role that the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the full respect for the freedom to seek, receive and impart information can play in strengthening democracy and combating religious intolerance", which seems to address your concerns.
- AmIFirstToThink 9y agoLiving, breathing, People deserve respect. Ideas don't. I have seen many cases of criticism of religion equated with criticism of every person who happen to be tagged as person of that religion, and used as a reason to stifle speech. In Canada and USA, the situation is reversed on free speech. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/derek-james-from/canadas-hypocritical-blasphemy-law_b_4018751.html http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/derek-james-from/canadas-hypocr...
- burkaman 9y agoYes, the world isn't perfect and sometimes people misuse laws and authority. But there is no contradiction in the UN positions that we're talking about right now.
- AmIFirstToThink 9y agoIs any criticism of Islam or the prophet a fair game as per your interpretation of those positions?
- burkaman 9y agoIt is legally fair game, yes. The resolution makes no restriction on speech, and specifically calls out the importance of freedom of expression. As I said, the only concrete obligation in the resolution is prohibiting discrimination. Speech is not discrimination, and the Human Rights Council has never claimed that it is.
- AmIFirstToThink 9y agoThanks. I will adjust my understanding of this point.