American  Jewish Congress Criticizes
UN General Assembly President’s
Support for Ban on Free Speech 

November 25, 2008 — The American Jewish Congress called on President of the General Assembly to rescind his statements in favor of banning all speech defamatory of religion. 

In a letter to Ambassador of Nicaragua Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, who currently serves as President of the General Assembly, AJCongress Senior Vice President John Wohlstetter said, “A successful movement to ban defamation of religions at the United Nations will effectively dismantle years of international human rights laws and mechanisms that have been established for the purpose of protecting individuals and groups from abuse and discrimination.  Extending international human rights law to protect ideas and beliefs, rather than the rights of individuals to hold these beliefs, will necessarily result in a loss of rights for all individuals.” 

The Organization of the Islamic Conference proposal to ban speech defamatory of religion passed by the Third Committee on Monday November 24th and is scheduled to be taken up again at the General Assembly next month.  It failed however to win the votes of a majority of states, obtaining a plurality of 85, with 50 states voting no and 42 abstaining.  By way of contrast, last year total were 108 for, 51 against, and 25 abstained. 

In a letter, Mr. Wohlstetter predicted that “movement to ban speech ‘defamatory’ of religions will only have the effect of breeding greater ignorance, disrespect and intolerance.  Only through open discussion, debate, and even criticism about ideas and beliefs can individuals come to greater understanding and tolerance.”