UN Passes Resolution to Prevent Quran Burnings

Facts

• On Wednesday, the UN Human Rights Council approved a resolution condemning any acts that incite religious hatred in the wake of a recent Quran-burning incident in Sweden.¹
• Though it was opposed by the US and the EU, the OIC-submitted resolution calls on countries to take steps to "prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute an incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence."²
• Last month, a 37-year-old Iraqi citizen living in Sweden stomped on the Islamic holy book, setting several of its pages on fire during a small Quran-burning demonstration outside Stockholm's main mosque.³
• The Swedish government condemned the incident after the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a Saudi Arabia-based 57-nation body, called for "unified and collective measures" to be taken so as to prevent future desecrations of the Quran.⁴
• The burning of the holy book, which happened on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday, was criticized by a host of countries. Turkey called the incident "despicable" and Iran termed it "provocative, ill-considered and unacceptable," while the US denounced the desecration.⁵
• Although Swedish officials have rejected many applications for anti-Quran demonstrations more recently, courts have overruled the refusals, arguing that protests against Islam and the Quran are protected under free speech laws.⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²Al Jazeera (a), ³The Times of Israel, ⁴Guardian, ⁵ITN, and ⁶Al Jazeera (b).

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by TRT World. Allowing anti-Islamic actions under the pretext of freedom of speech and paying no heed to such offensive acts in the name of protest constitutes culpability. Turkey must continue to veto Sweden's bid to join NATO if it doesn't take preventive measures to stop the future desecration of the Quran or address domestic terrorism.
• Narrative B, as provided by Haaretz. Freedom of speech is absolute. The government must not allow a handful of miscreants to damage the democratic world's social fabric or limit its people's civil liberties, including the right to protest. Countries, including Sweden, shouldn't change policies to restrict their citizens' rights or engage in sycophantic attempts to appease Muslim nations.
• Narrative C, as provided by Euronews. This resolution is designed to safeguard religious symbols rather than human rights and freedom of expression. While the burning of the Quran or any other holy book must be condemned as it contradicts the principles of tolerance and social peace, religious criticism does not constitute incitement to violence and discrimination.

Predictions