A bid for freedom of conscience at the UN. You will be able to read documents related to this initiative in my forthcoming essay collection The Myth of Islamic Tolerance. From Reuters, with thanks to David G. Littman:
GENEVA, July 28 (Reuters) Religious rights campaigners, buoyed by a UN call for an end to repression of minorities by majority religions, today urged the world body to tackle persecution of ''apostates'' in Muslim countries.The move came as humanist groups hailed the UN's 2004 Human Development Report for declaring that ''individuals must be free not only to criticise the religion into which they are born, but to reject it for another or to remain without one.'' The campaigners' appeal -- in the form of a petition signed by nearly 90,000 people in 32 countries, including present and former Muslims -- was delivered to new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour.
It said Muslim religious leaders and organisations should make a clear public call for reinterpretation of Islamic law ''so that Muslims who change their faith will not have to face intimidation, harassment, persecution or death as a result.'' The petition, launched by British-based Christian group The Barnabas Fund, called on the U.N. Human Rights Commission, governments and international bodies to speak out on the issue and raise it ''as a matter of urgency'' with Muslim groupings.
Fund advocacy manager Paul Cook -- who welcomed the UN report's ''very encouraging affirmation'' of the right to apostasy -- said his group's efforts to get dialogue going with Muslim bodies on the problem had so far met with silence.
I think this is an extremely good move. One of the best ways to fight tyranny is to expose it to the light. If we can crack open a few muslim countries to allow missionaries from other religions (not just Christians) then we can expect more pluralism from these countries and less barbarism. Islamos hate being held up for scrutiny in such a public forum like the UN.
“Your grandchildren will be missionaries in down town Mecca.”
As always, for ex-Muslim Apostates, read "Leaving Islam - Apostates Speak Out" edited by Ibn Warraq:
http://www.secularislam.org/testimonies/index.htm
Also check out the small discussion board at his website:
http://www.secularislam.org/discussion36/Default.htm
......."said his group's efforts to get dialogue going with Muslim bodies on the problem had so far met with silence."
I guess it's the thought that counts......But it aint gonna happen.
One has to wonder how Professor Robinson will codify apostacy for the Maldivians.
Lots of luck. Apostasy laws have been part of Islam and Sharia for 1400 years. Radical Islam is fighting hard to preserve this code, even to the point of molesting, intimidating, and murdering fellow Muslims that dare move against or speak against the more radical strain. Considering that extremism is on the upswing, it is unlikely that this moderating improvement could ever become reality.
Islamic countries will have to be FORCED to accept apostacy laws.
What about starting with Iraq and Afghanistan?
Islamic countries will have to be FORCED to accept apostacy laws.
What about starting with Iraq and Afghanistan?
Muslims will just treat this with the same contempt that they treat any other suggestion to bring their religion to some sense of decency.
This one will be dead in the water before it even gets to the Annans desk.The toothless UN will be pushed over on this by the typical lot of back slapping, champagne swigging apologists.
What will MOST LIKELY happen is that the religion of Islam will be EXEMPT from this.
UNCHR is comtrolled by some of the worst abusers of Human rights on the planet.
If the matter ever comes to discussion it will only be to justify sharia law.
The Barnabus Fund will go the same way as Israel.
It is important to discredit the UN at every opportunity to expose to all its hidden agendas.
Mr. Spencer, that book you have coming out looks wonderful.....I am pleasantly surprised too see someone tackle this issue head on.........it's about time....
And kudos to these people protesting against Islam's barbarous Apostasy laws though I'm afriad it will be in futile...
One thing Islam cannot stand is dissent.....Islam underpinnings are so philisophically weak, that they have to kill all those that dare question its foundations that rest on sand!!
Thanks
Get involved with the Human Rights Party. Only united and strong, can we make a difference: http://forums.delphiforums.com/western1
All I can say about this situation is that it makes yet another perfect argument against this sicked, twisted ideology that passes for a religion.
To paraphrase Michael Savage, "Is a Moslem apostate someone who wants to advance to the 10th century from the 7th?"
Apostates who were Muslims should get Police Protection.Only with Media exposure and lots of determined people trying to change status quo,will
ex Muslims be able to live in peace. Full marks to
Robert Spencer, Ali Dashti and everyone else battling an extremely dangerous Cult. Change has never been effected by a negative attitude,Guys!
The U.N. Declaration of Human Rights DID include these suggested provisions. In Novemebr 1981, under pressure from muslim countries, the Declaration was revised and references to the right to change one's religion were deleted. See Ibn Warraq's Why I am Not a Muslim, chapter 7.
Would it be possible to do a straight swap : all the apostates in muslim countries for all the practising muslims in the UK?
Robert Spencer,
If you could get a petition onto tommorrows Jihad Watch to send to the UN , I'm sure it would have an exellent response on this site. You managed to get the Iran toppler petition going, one directed to the UN to help persecuted apostates should be a doddle.
Lets have a street demonstation supporting apostates.