Abstract
Since 1999, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation has annually introduced a resolution to the United Nations Human Rights Council to create an international blasphemy law. The United Nations is currently debating whether to accept a resolution that criminalizes blasphemy. In order to assess whether the United Nations should enact such a law, this article examines the laws of the United States in comparison to three countries that enforce their blasphemy laws: Indonesia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. This article concludes that the United Nations should follow the way of the United States and forgo any restriction on blasphemy, as blasphemy laws in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia are used as a ruse to constrain freedom of expression, limit religious liberty, and restrict the rights of religious minorities.
Recommended Citation
Widelitz, Kiley
(2013)
"A Global Blasphemy Law: Protecting Believers at the Expense of Free Speech,"
Pepperdine Policy Review: Vol. 6, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/ppr/vol6/iss1/2
Included in
Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Peace and Conflict Studies Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Public Affairs Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Welfare Commons