| And no doubt all involved are now filled with a virtuous (or something) glow. Not that it matters; the UN General Assembly is nothing more than a talk shop, with no power whatsoever. Thank goodness for that bit of cynical wisdom by the founders. |
[GEO.TV] The United Nations
...an organization conceived in the belief that we're just one big happy world, with the sort of results you'd expect from such nonsense...
General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted a resolution to counter hate speech and strongly deplore attacks against places of worship, religious symbols, and holy books.
The Moroccan-backed, entitled Promoting Interreligious and intercultural dialogue and Tolerance in countering hate speech, was co-sponsored by Pakistain.
It won the approval of the 193-member assembly amid growing acts of desecration of the Holy Koran.
Diplomats said that Pakistain led the efforts, along with Malaysia and Egypt, to work toward the resolution of the language aimed at upholding the sanctity of religious sites, symbols, and holy books.
"Strongly deploring all acts of violence against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, as well as any such acts directed against their religious symbols, holy books, homes, businesses, properties, schools, cultural centres or places of worship, as well as all attacks on and in religious places, sites and shrines in violation of international law," the paragraph reads.
Spain submitted an amendment asking for the last words of that paragraph "in violation of international law" to be deleted.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union
 ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
, the Spanish delegate emphasised that although such actions are deeply offensive and disrespectful, they do not constitute a violation of international law, and thus proposed the elimination of the reference to "in violation of international law".
But the amendment to change the phrasing was defeated. It secured only 44 votes in favour, with 62 voting against. There were 24 abstentions.
Under the terms of the resolution, the general assembly urged member states to engage with all relevant stakeholders to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue and respect and acceptance of differences, among other things, to reject the spread of hate speech that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, and violence. 
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