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Away with your pesky rights

Mar 29th, 2008 12:58 pm | By

The UN’s human rights resolution has passed.

The top U.N. rights body on Thursday passed a resolution proposed by Islamic countries saying it is deeply concerned about the defamation of religions and urging governments to prohibit it…The document, which was put forward by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, “expresses deep concern at attempts to identify Islam with terrorism, violence and human rights violations.” Although the text refers frequently to protecting all religions, the only religion specified as being attacked is Islam, to which eight paragraphs refer…”It is regrettable that there are false translations and interpretations of the freedom of expression,” the Saudi delegation told the council, adding that no culture should incite to religious hatred by attacking sacred

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UN HRC Press Release on Defamation [scroll down] *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

‘Saudi Arabia called for tolerance of all religions’ – sic!… Read the rest



Taslima Nasrin’s Exit a National Shame *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

If one aspect of a genuine democracy is to sustain free debate, the episode has dented India’s claims.… Read the rest



Taslima Nasrin Out of India *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

Said the conditions she lived in were virtual house arrest and that she was denied medical attention.… Read the rest



Liveleak Withdraws ‘Fitna’ After Threats *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

Ban Ki-moon condemns ‘offensively anti-Islamic film,’ says right of free speech is not at stake.… Read the rest



PBS Messes Up Again *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

Goldin carefully explained the science behind phthalate safety research; her effort was wasted.… Read the rest



Lebanon Bans ‘Persepolis’ *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

Because somebody maybe thinks it perhaps might annoy Hizbollah possibly.… Read the rest



Ben Goldacre on an Anti-abortion Hoax *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

No, the baby didn’t push his hand out and wave to the crowd.… Read the rest



Pope is a Catholic Shock *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

US newspapers keep discovering that yes, the Pope does believe all that. Yes, still.… Read the rest



Cardinal Agrees to Meet Embryo Researchers *

Mar 29th, 2008 | Filed by

Only condition: the scientists must be willing to accept instruction from Churches on basic morality.… Read the rest



Jesus and Mo Discuss Frankenstein Babies *

Mar 28th, 2008 | Filed by

Mo points out emotive misleading language.… Read the rest



Martha Nussbaum on America’s Puritanical Streak *

Mar 28th, 2008 | Filed by

All of us, except the independently wealthy and the unemployed, take money for the use of our body.… Read the rest



UN HRC Passes Islamic Resolution on Defamation *

Mar 28th, 2008 | Filed by

Resolution cites deep concern about the defamation of religions, urges governments to prohibit it.… Read the rest



Project to Inquire into Religion *

Mar 28th, 2008 | Filed by

Experiments to look at the mental mechanisms needed to represent an omniscient deity.… Read the rest



Parvez Sharma’s Film ‘A Jihad for Love’ *

Mar 28th, 2008 | Filed by

Sharma doesn’t believe that the Iranian authorities are conducting an antigay witch-hunt.… Read the rest



The Swat Valley Taliban *

Mar 28th, 2008 | Filed by

‘Those promoting “enlightened moderation” are the agents of darkness,’ says Fazlullah.… Read the rest



The Taliban in the Swat Valley *

Mar 28th, 2008 | Filed by

The Taliban are growing in popularity partly because the state is not functioning. … Read the rest



Many Muslim Children Kept Out of School *

Mar 27th, 2008 | Filed by

Hajra Bibi taken out of school at puberty; parents wanted her to cook for male relatives.… Read the rest



Campaigners Support Wakefield *

Mar 27th, 2008 | Filed by

BBC accuses medical experts of seeking to ‘discredit’ Wakefield’s ‘findings.’… Read the rest



Return of the ‘Framing’ Debate *

Mar 27th, 2008 | Filed by

Nisbet tells Dawkins and Myers to ‘Lay [sic] low and let others do the talking.’… Read the rest