HYDERABAD – April 25, 2009 – All India Christian Council (aicc) representatives at the Durban Review Conference, held April 20-24 in Geneva, expressed opposition to “defamation of religion” laws. The aicc previously signed a joint letter from hundreds of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which oppose various resolutions on “defamation of religion” passed by the United Nations General Assembly and human rights bodies.

Dr. Sam Paul, aicc National Secretary of Public Affairs, said, “Unfortunately, debate over religious defamation laws consumed valuable time and energy at the Durban Review Conference. This discussion wasn’t appropriate for a conference on racism since you are born into your race, but religion involves human choice and freedom of conscience. There are so many racism “related intolerances”, like work and descent based discrimination, which should be the focus of any future conferences.”

Ironically, the UN meeting did not address a prominent intersection of racism and religion in India. “Freedom of Religion Acts”, also known as anti-conversion laws, exist in seven states and are currently enforced in five. The laws prescribe special penalties for Dalits who change religions without following certain procedures. Dalits, known in the laws as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, are classified as victims of “work and descent based discrimination”, a specific category of racism, according to various UN committees. 

On March 27, 2009, aicc asked to be added to the Joint NGO Statement on Danger of U.N. “Defamation of Religions” Campaign. The letter outlined specific problems with the current campaign by some UN member states. Based on years of inter-faith dialogue amidst India’s rich diversity of religions, the aicc opposes a resolution on “defamation of religions” presented to the 10th session of the UN Human Rights Council; efforts by the U.N. “Ad Hoc Committee on Complementary Standards” to amend the International Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) by adding a protocol on “defamation of religions”; and General Assembly resolutions passed yearly since 2005.

“Today India is in the middle of national elections. Sadly, hate speech continues from various public figures and is directed at religious minority communities. It must be condemned and the perpetrators punished. However, speech which incites violence isn’t the same as speech which insults or creates “hostility”. Violent speech deserves legal action. Offensive speech must be met with more speech and debate in the democratic tradition of free societies,” said Paul. “Defamation laws should protect individuals and not try to protect particular ideologies or religions. Sadly, the concept being promoted in some UN bodies actually limits religious freedom. We are pleased that Durban Review Conference “outcome document” didn’t specifically discuss defamation of religion. But in the end, respect, not merely tolerance, is needed. Tolerance – a virtue India is famous for – is not enough to end hate speech which leads to inter-religious violence. Instead, we need to nurture respect for other religions.”

The aicc sent Mr. K. Sam Paul, aicc National Secretary of Public Affairs, and Mr. B. Dhanaraju, Chief Patron of aicc Andhra Pradesh chapter, to attend the Durban Review Conference in Geneva (www.un.org/durbanreview2009/). The conference reviewed progress made by signatories to the UN International Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) since the UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held Aug. 31 – Sept. 7, 2001, in Durban, South Africa (www.un.org/WCAR/). Both men attended under the auspices of the Indian Social Institute, Bangalore, which has Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC.

The All India Christian Council (www.aiccindia.org), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.