UN HRC53: Explanation of vote on countering religious hatred
UK statement during urgent debate on countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, at UN Human Rights Council.
Thank you.
Let me say once more. We reject intolerance. We deplore discrimination. And we denounce hatred on the basis of religion or belief. We recognise the deep hurt felt by Muslims around the world caused by the burning of the Quran. Attempts to sow discord and division are contemptible. We will defend freedom of religion or belief for all, and promote mutual respect.
In combatting religious intolerance, there is a difficult balance to strike and in different societies, this balance is struck in different ways. It can be hard to determine at what point freedom of expression becomes unacceptable, and when unacceptable speech or action should be legally prohibited. We are sensitive to these complexities. These are live issues in the UK, as elsewhere.
However, international human rights law provides us with narrowly defined parameters in which freedom of expression can be limited. And we do not accept that, by definition, attacks on religion, including on religious texts or symbols, constitute advocacy for hatred.
Whilst we completely reject acts seeking to incite discrimination, hostility or violence, wherever they are carried out, we need to recognise that the primary function of the international human rights framework – forged out of the bitter experience of centuries past – is to protect individuals from the State. Tragically, there are all too many examples in the world right now and in recent years where believers – religious or not – have been ruthlessly oppressed by those who are meant to guarantee their rights.
So, while we thank OIC colleagues for their engagement on the resolution in recent days, today we have had to vote against on this resolution. Given our commitment to freedom of religion or belief, and to the consensus this Council has maintained since resolution 16/18 was agreed, this is not a decision we have taken lightly. Despite today’s vote, our hope is that we can again find a path that enables us to fight religious intolerance and stigmatisation together, as one Council.