China and India supported while the United States and Great Britain opposed; Photo: File
Geneva: The resolution presented by Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the United Nations Human Rights Council against the unholy courage of burning the Holy Quran in Sweden was approved by a majority despite the opposition of the United States and the European Union.
According to the World News Agency, a resolution against religious hatred and bigotry was presented in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which was discussed today. This resolution was presented in the context of the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
The United States and the European Union opposed the resolution, saying it contradicted their position on human rights and freedom of expression. Six other countries, including Britain, France, Germany and Finland, also opposed the resolution in support of the position of the United States and the European Union.
However, due to Pakistan’s effective diplomatic efforts, apart from Islamic countries, India, China, Argentina, Bolivia, Cameroon, Cuba, Gambia, Ivory Coast; South Africa, Ukraine and Vietnam supported. Based on which the resolution was approved.
Also, Chile, Georgia, Honduras, Mexico, Nepal and Paraguay abstained from voting.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said through a video conference that the act of burning the Holy Quran was an attempt to incite religious hatred, discrimination and violence, which was done with the approval and forgiveness of the Swedish government.
The foreign minister further said that the international community and international organizations must take joint measures against this heinous attempt. The ministers of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Indonesia also supported the Pakistani foreign minister.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk told the UNHRC that provocative actions against Muslims, as well as other religions or minorities, are offensive, irresponsible and wrong.
Sweden’s government condemned the burning of the Koran as “Islamophobic” but also said that everyone in the country has a constitutional right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration.
The resolution demanded that legal barriers and strict measures be taken to prevent such incidents based on mental hatred and bigotry.
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