Freedom of Speech threatened??

[ironsides]

Muslim countries seek blasphemy ban

Friday 20th November, 09:20 AM JST
GENEVA —
Four years after cartoons of the prophet Muhammad set off violent protests across the Muslim world, Islamic nations are mounting a campaign for an international treaty to protect religious symbols and beliefs from mockery—essentially a ban on blasphemy that would put them on a collision course with free speech laws in the West.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that Algeria and Pakistan have taken the lead in lobbying to eventually bring the proposal to a vote in the U.N. General Assembly.

If ratified in countries that enshrine freedom of expression as a fundamental right, such a treaty would require them to limit free speech if it risks seriously offending religious believers. The process, though, will take years and no showdown is imminent.

The proposal faces stiff resistance from Western countries, including the United States, which in the past has brushed aside other U.N. treaties, such as one on the protection of migrant workers.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/muslim-countries-seek-blasphemy-ban


:angryfire:

 

[DurkaDurka]

Pretty much unenforceable and ridiculous to boot.

I think Algeria & Pakistan should worry about their significant domestic problems before trying to other gag countries from insulting religious symbols.

 

[Andem]

Like this isn't any different from Political Correctness? It's pretty much an enforced law in Canada for all intents.

 

[Liberalman]

freedom of speech only exists when you don't hurt anybody.

Try drawing a derogetory picture depicting a a corporation and see the lawsuits cascade on you.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

I think this is a storm in a teacup, something blown way out of proportion by the conservatives. It reads very much like a conservative propaganda piece.

First, sure UN General Assembly may approve it. So what? I don’t see any western government implementing it; the resolutions by the General Assembly are not binding on individual countries.

So Western countries pretty much will ignore it. But suppose somebody like Canada tries to enforce it (can anyone really imagine Harper enforcing something like that)? There will be Charter challenge to it and the charter challenge will very likely succeed. Freedom of speech is a very strong right in the Charter, perhaps the strongest of all.

While there can be limits to free speech, the limits cannot be because it offends somebody’s religious beliefs. So even if Canadian government passes a law to try to implement it, Courts will crack down on it hard.

Chances of US passing anything similar are even less that chances of Canada passing something like that (and in Canada the chances are negligible).

As I said, it is a storm in a tea cup, an issue cooked up by conservatives. Perhaps something to beat Obama on the head with.

 

[DurkaDurka]

freedom of speech only exists when you don't hurt anybody.

Try drawing a derogetory picture depicting a a corporation and see the lawsuits cascade on you.

Being oversensitive is not an excuse to silence people.

 

[DurkaDurka]

I think this is a storm in a teacup, something blown way out of proportion by the conservatives. It reads very much like a conservative propaganda piece.

First, sure UN General Assembly may approve it. So what? I don’t see any western government implementing it; the resolutions by the General Assembly are not binding on individual countries.

So Western countries pretty much will ignore it. But suppose somebody like Canada tries to enforce it (can anyone really imagine Harper enforcing something like that)? There will be Charter challenge to it and the charter challenge will very likely succeed. Freedom of speech is a very strong right in the Charter, perhaps the strongest of all.

While there can be limits to free speech, the limits cannot be because it offends somebody’s religious beliefs. So even if Canadian government passes a law to try to implement it, Courts will crack down on it hard.

Chances of US passing anything similar are even less that chances of Canada passing something like that (and in Canada the chances are negligible).

As I said, it is a storm in a tea cup, an issue cooked up by conservatives. Perhaps something to beat Obama on the head with.

it's proposals like this that make the UN look like a joke. The purpose of the UN is not to silence speech that some countries may find offensive.

 

[Francis2004]

it's proposals like this that make the UN look like a joke. The purpose of the UN is not to silence speech that some countries may find offensive.

Point made..

But as it stands this had not been voted yet.. Hence let us see if it gets approval in the UN first to see if we need to condemn them at all..

 

[SirJosephPorter]

it's proposals like this that make the UN look like a joke. The purpose of the UN is not to silence speech that some countries may find offensive.

[FONT=&quot]That may be Durka, but the general Assembly is pretty much irrelevant anyway, it is nothing more than a talking shop. It is the Security Council which has real teeth (and [/FONT][FONT=&quot]where a proposal can be defeated by a single veto by any of the veto carrying countries).[/FONT]

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Point made..

But as it stands this had not been voted yet.. Hence let us see if it gets approval in the UN first to see if we need to condemn them at all..

Quite so, Francis. As I said a storm in a teacup, nothing more (and perhaps conservative propaganda).

 

[Unforgiven]

Well if those ****ers think they can keep me from ****ing blasfemy they have another ****ing thing coming! ****ing A right Micky.

 

[El Barto]

[FONT=&quot]That may be Durka, but the general Assembly is pretty much irrelevant anyway, it is nothing more than a talking shop. It is the Security Council which has real teeth (and [/FONT][FONT=&quot]where a proposal can be defeated by a single veto by any of the veto carrying countries).[/FONT]

What's this, the U.N. has teeth?

 

[Cannuck]

freedom of speech only exists when you don't hurt anybody.

Try drawing a derogetory picture depicting a a corporation and see the lawsuits cascade on you.

Been done more times than I care to count

A question for you Liberalman, aren't you getting tired of being the poster boy for "Failed"

 

[Cannuck]

So Western countries pretty much will ignore it. But suppose somebody like Canada tries to enforce it (can anyone really imagine Harper enforcing something like that)? There will be Charter challenge to it and the charter challenge will very likely succeed. Freedom of speech is a very strong right in the Charter, perhaps the strongest of all.

CBC News - Canada - Writers call for probe into human rights commission

You have a pretty short (or perhaps selective) memory there Joey

 

[In Between Man]

Latest threat:

Dutch Politician's hate trial resumes

The Amsterdam trial of the leading Dutch politician Geert Wilders on charges of inciting hatred against Muslims has resumed.

Last month a judge ruled that the trial would go ahead, overturning a decision last October to halt it. Testimony is being heard from two Arab world experts - Hans Jansen and Bertus Hendriks - and a judge, Tom Schalken.

Mr Wilders's Freedom Party (PVV) is not in the coalition government, but the party's support keeps it in power. He has described Islam as "fascist", comparing the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf. He insists his remarks on Islam were part of a legitimate political debate.

 

[In Between Man]

Victory!

Dutch court acquits Geert Wilders of "hate speech".

 

[YukonJack]

Victory!

Dutch court acquits Geert Wilders of "hate speech".

There is hope for the Dutch! Now they should kick out all the trouble-makers, back to their own Islamic Hell-hole, where they came from.

 

[In Between Man]

There is hope for the Dutch! Now they should kick out all the trouble-makers, back to their own Islamic Hell-hole, where they came from.

Agreed. There's only one place for them and their hateful little book.

 

[DurkaDurka]

Agreed. There's only one place for them and their hateful little book.

Jerusalem?

 

[YukonJack]

Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is just as good a place for bonfire as Florida.