Re:Internet access is now a basic human right (2016)
by AmIFirstToThink on Wednesday August 30, 2017 @04:31PM
(#15135747)
Living, breathing, People deserve respect. Ideas don't.
I have seen many cases of criticism of religion equated with criticism of every person who happen to be tagged as person of that religion, and used as a reason to stifle speech.
In Canada and USA, the situation is reversed on free speech. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/derek-james-from/canadas-hypocr...
Re:Internet access is now a basic human right (2016)
by burkaman on Wednesday August 30, 2017 @05:00PM
(#15135972)
Yes, the world isn't perfect and sometimes people misuse laws and authority. But there is no contradiction in the UN positions that we're talking about right now.
Re:Internet access is now a basic human right (2016)
by AmIFirstToThink on Wednesday August 30, 2017 @05:30PM
(#15136212)
Is any criticism of Islam or the prophet a fair game as per your interpretation of those positions?
Re:Internet access is now a basic human right (2016)
by burkaman on Wednesday August 30, 2017 @05:42PM
(#15136291)
It is legally fair game, yes. The resolution makes no restriction on speech, and specifically calls out the importance of freedom of expression.
As I said, the only concrete obligation in the resolution is prohibiting discrimination. Speech is not discrimination, and the Human Rights Council has never claimed that it is.
Re:Internet access is now a basic human right (2016)
by AmIFirstToThink on Wednesday August 30, 2017 @11:32PM
(#15137978)
Thanks. I will adjust my understanding of this point.
This is a resolution passed by the Human Rights Council, but it is not a human right. It does not disallow anything. It talks about promoting and encouraging respect, deploring discrimination and violence, noting concern, recognizing contributions, etc. These are all soft, non-binding commitments.
The only actual obligation is "to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion or belief and to implement measures to guarantee the equal and effective protection of the law", which does not conflict at all with freedom of speech.
It also includes "the positive role that the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the full respect for the freedom to seek, receive and impart information can play in strengthening democracy and combating religious intolerance", which seems to address your concerns.