VOICE OF AMERICA: WASHINGTON — In the wake of a U.N. resolution condemning discrimination on the basis of religion, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has stopped pushing for an international treaty banning the defamation of religion.
The 57-member confederation of Muslim countries has lobbied for years for an international treaty that would outlaw blasphemy against Islam and other religions.
Ufuk Gokcen, the OIC's Permanent Observer to the U.N., played a key role in that effort.
But the Turkish diplomat said the OIC is now satisfied with U.N. Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 adopted last year.
"I don't see any attempt to go back to the old controversy over defamation and blasphemy," he said.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said Resolution 16/18 recognizes that free expression plays an important role in bolstering religious tolerance. » | Gabe Joselow | Wednesday, October 24, 2012
