On several occasions in the past the United Nations and Human Rights issues
have been cited in this forum against Islam and Muslims. Do these
so-called
"critics" now accept the United Nations condemnation of "the distorted
vision of Muslims in the film Fitna" and similar hate speech often posted
to
this Islamic forum under the same provocative guise? Will these regular
interlocutors have the intellectual courage to concede their previous
distortions and withdraw them, acting in good faith, or will they try and
hide behind the "free speech" mantra with more weasel words and
equivocation?
Here's the press release, in the public domain, from the United Nations:-
<Quote> ...
Geneva, 28 March 2008: - - Three UN Special Rap****teurs today issued a
joint
statement criticizing the provocative nature of a film depicting an
extremely distorted vision of Muslims, and urging a calm and measured
response to its release.
The Special Rap****teur on contem****ary forms of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Doudou Dične; the
Special Rap****teur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir; and
the
Special Rap****teur for the promotion and protection of the right to
freedom
of opinion and expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, issued the following statement:
"We condemn the tone and content of the online film by Dutch Member of
Parliament, Mr. Geert Wilders, which was released on the Internet
yesterday.
The film 'Fitna' illustrates an increasing pattern that associates Muslims
exclusively with violence and terrorism. It is crucial that efforts be
made
by Governments to stop this pattern and take urgent measures to prevent
incitement to racial and religious hatred which is a major threat to peace
and social cohesion.
"While on the one hand, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right
that must be respected, it does not extend to include incitement to racial
or religious hatred which is itself clearly a violation of human rights.
Public expressions that paint adherents of a particular religion as a
threat
to peace or global stability are irresponsible.
"We would like to make a special call for vigilance and tolerance.
Following
the publication of the controversial caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad
in
September 2005, we urged all parties to refrain from any form of violence
and to avoid fuelling hatred.* Furthermore, we encouraged States to
promote
the interrelated and indivisible nature of human rights and freedoms, and
to
advocate the use of legal remedies. We also called on them to pursue a
peaceful dialogue on matters which go to the heart of all multicultural
societies. We reiterate those calls now.
"We recognize the quick and balanced reaction of the Dutch Government to
the
release of this film in which it rejects the equation of Islam with
violence
and notes that the 'vast majority of Muslims reject extremism and
violence.'
"As Special Rap****teurs of the United Nations Human Rights Council, we
call
upon all national and international human rights bodies and mechanisms to
urgently initiate a debate on the best way to ensure the complementarity
and
balance of the fundamental rights of freedom of religion or belief and
freedom of expression as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights. We believe that enhanced efforts to promote
inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue may help to restrain any
possible violent reaction."
<Unquote> ...
Is there any conscientious lesson we can learn from this global "Fitna"
condemnation, in regard to hostile SRI posts, "to stop this pattern and
take
urgent measures to prevent incitement to racial and religious hatred which
is a major threat to peace and social cohesion." and so-called forum
"criticism" which shouldn't extend to include contem****ary forms of
racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance"?
--
Peace
--
Act only according to that maxim which you can at the same time will that
it
should become a universal law. [Immanuel Kant]
Zuiko Azumazi
zuiko.azumazi@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
|
