Christian Solidarity Worldwide has joined international human rights defenders and organisations in condemning a resolution issued by the United Nations General Assembly, which represents a threat to freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

The resolution, entitled “Combating Defamation of Religions”, calls on national governments to legislate for the protection of religion from defamation, and has been adopted by the General Assembly for a fourth consecutive year. It has traditionally been sponsored by the 57 states that make up the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Although this year’s resolution passed with less affirmative votes, there are concerns within some human rights circles as to the motivation and implications of reissuing such resolutions, as well as questions around interpretation.

Human rights defenders have been anxious that their legitimate criticism of states which persecute could be deemed defamatory. CSW shares this concern and believes that these resolutions ultimately empower majorities against dissenters and the state against individuals.

Angela Wu, International Law Director of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said that she was “deeply disappointed that the UN has given cover to oppressive governments to persecute dissenters".

"Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, Christians in Orissa, India, and Bahais in Iran have one more reason to fear for their lives as the UN lends legitimacy to the criminalisation of their peaceful speech," she said. "States have no place determining what is and is not blasphemy.”

In an interim report, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Asma Jahangir, highlights concerns “that the lack of an objective definition of the term ‘defamation of religions’ makes the whole concept open to abuse” and that “attempts to protect religions from ‘defamation’ are really seeking to protect religion from critical evaluation and aim to stifle religious dissent”.

The non-binding resolution was passed by a margin of 86-53, with 42 states abstaining. A similar resolution was passed in the General Assembly last December by a vote of 108-51, with 25 abstentions.

CSW’s Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert, said: “We believe that measures ‘combating defamation of religions’ are fundamentally inconsistent with UN human rights principles.

"Existing international law protects individuals from violations of freedom of religion and belief but this resolution seeks to protect religions rather than people.

"We are also worried about the consequences for human rights defenders who may have their legitimate advocacy condemned by states as defamatory."

CSW is calling upon the High Commissioner for Human Rights "to speak in defense of freedom of expression for people of all faiths and address the damage done by these resolutions".