UN Human Rights Council Addresses Quran Burnings in Europe and Advocates for Respect and Tolerance

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During a special debate at the UN Human Rights Council, concerns regarding the burning of the Quran in Sweden and other European countries were discussed. Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, carefully balanced the principles of freedom of expression with respect for religious beliefs. He also emphasized the importance of showing respect for all individuals, including migrants, LGBTQI+ people, and women and girls who wear headscarves.

Türk condemned the recent Quran burnings and highlighted the broader issue of increasing hatred and discrimination, which often leads to violence. He expressed concern about deliberate attempts to fuel intolerance, fostering divisions between different civilizations. These incidents have had far-reaching consequences, even influencing Turkey’s considerations about Sweden’s NATO membership.

The debate revolved around the differing perspectives of Western countries, which condemned intolerance but upheld the right to freedom of expression, and predominantly Muslim countries, advocating for stronger legal measures to combat expressions of religious intolerance and hatred that could lead to violence or discrimination.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, emphasized that freedom of expression should promote peaceful coexistence instead of creating conflicts between civilizations. He urged the spread of values of tolerance.

Türk urged people to show respect to one another and called for the prohibition of any advocacy of hatred that incites violence, discrimination, or hostility in all states. He warned that hate speech was on the rise and could be equally harmful, even if it does not always directly incite violence. He cited examples such as dehumanizing women, verbal abuse against Muslim women wearing headscarves, mocking people with disabilities, making false claims about migrants or specific ethnicities, and discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Pakistan and Palestine led a push for a council resolution, urging countries to take measures to prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred that incite discrimination, hostility, or violence.

However, the United States opposed the resolution, citing concerns that banning such expressions could infringe upon the fundamental right to freedom of expression. The U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain, argued that attempts to ban such expressions often backfire, drawing more attention and potentially fueling further hatred. Instead, he called for focusing on education and interfaith intercultural dialogue as a means to address hate speech.

A vote on the resolution was scheduled for Wednesday morning.

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More about Quran burnings

• UN Human Rights Council: Link
• Quran Burnings in Europe: Link
• Volker Türk: Link
• Freedom of Expression: Link
• Religious Respect: Link
• LGBTQI+ Rights: Link
• Migrants: Link
• Women’s Rights: Link
• Hate Speech: Link
• Intolerance and Violence: Link
• Saudi Arabia: Link
• US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom: Link