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Muslims Battle West at UN Over Free Speech

[AP] Eliane Engeler - Muslim and Western nations clashed at the UN on Tuesday after a measure backed by Islamic countries added monitoring religious prejudice to the duties of the UN investigator on freedom of opinion and expression, responsible for reporting on repressive governments' restriction of free speech. The change sponsored by Egypt and Pakistan now requires him to also report acts that constitute "abuse of the right of freedom of expression." The change was seen as a move against forms of expression that have offended Muslims, such as cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The U.S., Canada and some European countries said the measure could curtail freedom of expression and help dictatorial regimes block dissenting views. "The resolution adopted attempts to legitimize the criminalization of expression," said U.S. Ambassador Warren W. Tichenor.
2008-04-02 01:00:00
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