"Prophet" Law Snags Human Rights Body

A drive by a bloc of Islamic nations for a global ban on "defamation of religions and prophets" has thrown a major kink into U.S. hopes for an overhaul of the leading U.N. human rights body.

"defamation of religions and prophets"

Yes, Virginia, it is 2006, and we're debating blasphemy laws in the context of human rights and defamation.

Subtract a thousand: February 17th, 1006. Now it makes sense.

Private human rights groups say the most problematic part of the amendment is a call for the new U.N. council to "prevent instances of intolerance, discrimination, incitement of hatred and violence arising from any actions against religions, prophets and beliefs which threaten the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms."
Jennifer L. Windsor, executive director of the human rights group Freedom Watch, said the OIC effort was one of a number of attempts by nations and blocs at the United Nations to "dumb down the human rights standards."
Freedom Watch has opposed anti-blasphemy laws both in Europe and the Islamic world as an infringement on free speech, she said. "It is never a good idea to protect one human right by repressing another."

Freedom of conscience, expression, and religion are on the chopping block.

"What a beautiful world we live in, a sweet romantic place. Beautiful people everywhere...."

-- Devo