US withdraws from UN racism conference that will try to make “defamation of religion” an international crime

The United States has withdrawn from a conference organised by the United Nations Human Rights Commission that seeks to challenge racism and xenophobia.

The Conference (known as Durban II, because it follows on from an initial meeting in Durban, South Africa), will take place in Geneva in April. Among the proposals being put forward by the 57-strong Islamic bloc (The OIC) is one that will make “defamation of religion” (specifically Islam) a crime throughout the world. This has been condemned as unacceptable by America, and the Obama administration has said that it will not participate in the conference unless there are radical changes to the conference proposals.

France and Canada have already withdrawn from participation and Australia is now considering following suit. You can find out more about it, including the opinions of NSS honorary associate Christopher Hitchens the clip below.

Freedom Under Fire: U.N. Anti-Blasphemy Resolution - With Christopher Hitchens
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