UN Human Rights Council approves Pakistan-backed motion on religious hatred

New York: The United Nations Human Rights Council, consisting of 47 member countries, approved a resolution proposed by Pakistan regarding religious hatred following the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

While major Western powers such as the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom opposed the resolution, citing conflicting views on human rights and freedom of expression.

The resolution titled "Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence" was presented by Pakistan in response to the incident of a man burning pages of the holy book, which sparked diplomatic tensions across the Muslim world.

Out of the 47 member countries, 28 voted in favor of the resolution, including China, India, South Africa, and Ukraine. Twelve countries voted against it, and seven countries abstained.

🔴BREAKING

The @UN🇺🇳 Human Rights Council adopted draft resolution L.23 (as orally revised) entitled "Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence."

Full results of the vote at #HRC53⤵ pic.twitter.com/RqQM7m1dBP

— United Nations Human Rights Council 📍 #HRC53 (@UN_HRC) July 12, 2023

Apart from the UK and the US, Belgium, Costa Rica, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monte Negro, and Romania also voted against the resolution.

Pakistan's resolution strongly condemns all forms of religious hatred, including deliberate acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, and emphasizes the importance of holding those responsible accountable.

It calls on states to enact legislation that addresses, prevents, and prosecutes acts and advocacy of religious hatred that incites discrimination, hostility, or violence.

Besides it, the resolution urges the UN rights chief, Volker Turk, to identify gaps in countries' laws concerning the burning of the Quran and the related debate.