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Muslim Countries Seek Blasphemy Ban

(AP) Frank Jordans - Four years after cartoons of the prophet Muhammad set off violent protests across the Muslim world, Islamic nations are mounting a campaign for an international treaty to ban blasphemy that puts them on a collision course with free speech laws in the West. Such a treaty would require countries to limit free speech if it risks seriously offending religious believers. "Some claim that the best way to protect the freedom of religion is to implement so-called anti-defamation policies that would restrict freedom of expression and the freedom of religion," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. "I strongly disagree." The U.S. is worried by the Islamic Conference campaign. Behind the scenes it has been lobbying hard to quash the proposal, dispatching a senior U.S. diplomat to Geneva last month for talks described as akin to trench warfare.
2009-11-20 08:22:16
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