India Backs UNHRC Resolution Against 'Religious Hatred' After Quran Burning Incident In Sweden

In the aftermath of the Quran-burning incident in Sweden that sparked widespread condemnation, India backed a resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. The resolution was presented by Pakistan.

The 28-12 vote, with seven abstentions, was backed by many developing countries in Africa, as well as China and India, and Middle Eastern countries. After the vote, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi of Pakistan insisted the measure “does not seek to curtail the right to free speech,” but tries to strike a “prudent balance” between it and “special duties and responsibilities”.

Quran burnings 

A man tore up and burned a Quran outside Stockholm's central mosque in June. Police later charged the man with agitation against an ethnic or national group and a violation of a ban on fires. The incident happened after Swedish police gave permission for a small demonstration to take place outside a Stockholm mosque at which the organisers said they would "tear up the Quran and burn it."

This is not an isolated incident. In late January this year, Turkey had suspended talks with Sweden regarding its NATO application after a Danish far-right politician burned a copy of the Quran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. 

Michele Taylor, the US ambassador to the council, said that the United States “strongly condemns the acts that have precipitated today's discussion, including desecration of the Holy Quran on June 28” — a reference to an incident in Sweden last month that fanned protest in some Muslim communities.

After the vote, Taylor said she was “truly heartbroken” that the council was unable to reach consensus "in condemning what we all agree are deplorable acts of anti-Muslim hatred, while also respecting freedom of expression”.

India's reaction to Quran burnings

While India did not provide an explanation today for its vote in favour of the resolution, it had earlier stated that there was an increase in “phobias” against all religions and did not mention Islam by name, during a debate on the issue on July 11. 

“In various regions of the world, we have witnessed defacement and destruction of temples and idols, glorification of desecration of idols, violation of gurudwara premises, massacre of Sikh pilgrims and numerous other acts of religious intolerance. There is a need for the international community to recognize the instances of intolerance, prejudice, phobia, and violence against followers of all religions and work together to eliminate them,” said the Indian statement, according to a report by The Wire. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. in Geneva, Khalil Hasmi, accused the West of “lip service” to their commitment to prevent religious hatred.  “The opposition of a few in the room has emanated from their unwillingness to condemn the public desecration of the Holy Koran or any other religious book,” he said, as quoted by Reuters.

What did the resolution say?

The resolution calls for the UN rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may “impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred”. 

United States and the European Union strongly opposed the resolution claiming that it conflicts with their view on human rights and freedom of expression.