Human rights – on our terms, says Muslim

“We firmly believe that the exercise of freedom of expression carries with it special responsibilities,” said Pakistan’s delegate to the UN Human Rights Council, speaking for the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The “defamation” of religion, he said, “results in negative stereotyping of the followers of this religion and belief and leads to incitement, discrimination, hatred and violence against them, therefore directly affecting their human rights”.

These words of wisdom come as the UN passes a resolution condemning “stereotyping of religion”.

So this geezer reckons that taking the piss out of religion can lead to consequences for individuals? OK, so how about Islam’s stereotyping of homosexuality as something that is “un-Islamic” or haram? Can that not lead to unfortunate, human-rights-affecting consequences for individuals?

The Index on Censorship piece linked to above says:

Following the OIC’s logic, one could equally apply the language of the resolution to Islamism, a political form which is arguably a “contemporary manifestation of religious hatred, discrimination and xenophobia. It results in negative stereotyping of the followers of other religions and beliefs and leads to incitement, discrimination, hatred and violence against them, therefore directly affecting their human rights.”

Yup. If you want everyone else to be nice to your hideous religion, Mr Pakistani Delegate, old chum, start being nice to other minorities and stop looking for special privileges and curtailments of others’ freedom of speech and expression.

Prat!