UN human rights council scolds Switzerland

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has severely condemned the ban on the construction of minarets within a resolution against the defamation of religion. Though Switzerland was not explicitly named, it is the only country in the world to have banned minarets. Consequently, this represents the first acknowledgement by the UN of the adoption of…

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Swiss Oppose UN Resolution on Minaret Ban

Several Muslim and African states have proposed to denounce bans against minaret construction as ‘Islamophobic’ as part of a UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on religious defamation. According to Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raphaël Saborit, “in principle Switzerland disagrees with the concept of a resolution devoted to the defamation of religion,” as religious freedom…

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Swiss minaret ban a setback for Middle East diplomacy

Switzerland recently passed a controversial referendum to ban minarets in the country, provoking uproar, intense debate and even protest. The move is regarded by many as “deeply divisive,” says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, as well as a major setback for American and European public diplomacy in the Arab world. Sweden, which…

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Swiss minaret ban discriminates against Muslims, says UN expert Statement of UN Special Rapporteur, Asma Jahangir

An independent United Nations expert on religious freedom today voiced regret at the Swiss vote to ban the construction of new minarets, stating that such a prohibition clearly discriminates against Muslims. “I have deep concerns at the negative consequences that the outcome of the vote will have on the freedom of religion or belief of…

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Fault lines split UN racism summit

President Ahmadinejad of Iran caused his expected splash at a UN conference on racism already deeply divided over Israel and the Palestinians and the degree to which religions should be protected from criticism. He did not mention Israel by name (he not only opposes the State of Israel but has wished for and has predicted…

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