By IINA,
Jeddah : UN The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) welcomed the adoption of the resolution by the UN Human Rights Council on the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion which has mandated the Special Rapporteur to report on the abuse of the freedom of expression. “The OIC attaches great importance to freedom of expression and opinion. It believes that the right to freedom of expression forms the bedrock for the exercise of all fundamental rights,” the world’s largest Islamic organization said in a press statement.
The statement said that OIC firmly believes that rights carry with them certain responsibilities. “These should not be abused to achieve negative objectives. Insults and defamation of religions and holy books can not be justified on the pretext of freedom of expression. They undermine the principles and purposes of the UN Charter to promote friendly relations amongst nations,” it said.
The OIC regretted that in recent years certain individuals and organizations have abused this right to malign and insult specific races and religions. Such acts constitute violations of Article 3 & 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination and Article 19 & 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that prohibit any advocacy of racial or religious hatred. In this connection, the OIC, once again, condemns printing of insulting caricatures and making of hate documentaries against Islam and Muslims.
The OIC also stressed the responsibility of States to curb this trend. Incitement to hatred on religious and racial ground and defamation of religions by individuals, groups or State must not be tolerated. It regrets that certain quarters have shown insensitivity to the concerns of millions of Muslims and other religious and racial groups by criticizing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to report on instances in which the abuse of freedom of expression constitutes an act of racial and religious discrimination.
However, the OIC hoped that the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression will be able to focus closely on the abuse of freedom of expression by individuals and organizations. It looks forward to working with the Special Rapporteur in this regard. The OIC further hoped that the international community will make serious efforts to fill the juridical gaps in the existing legal regime to cover this issue, the statement added.