UN Council Ratifies Resolution Following Quran Desecration

GENEVA (IQNA) – A resolution on religious hatred was approved by the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday, weeks after a copy of the Holy Quran was burned in Sweden.

The resolution, introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calls for the UN rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may "impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred."

Western countries, particularly the United States, strongly opposed the resolution, claiming that it contradicted their view on human rights and freedom of expression.

A man burned a copy of the Quran outside a Stockholm mosque last month, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and demands by Muslim states for action.

The vote's outcome marks a major defeat for Western countries.

Twenty-eight countries voted in favor, 12 voted against, and seven countries abstained.

During discussions on Tuesday, representatives of several Muslim countries strongly slammed the burning of the Quran as an act of religious hatred and violence, urging the international community to hold accountable those who desecrated the holy book.

Source: Agencies