November 2, 2005

Draft Resolution on the Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief

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The resolution on religious intolerance was adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly's Third Committee but only after a lengthy battle between the lead sponsor, the European Union, and the states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Among other things, the OIC did not like the fact that "anti-semitism" was mentioned, and wanted to refocus the resolution on various issues related to Islam. Although this resolution is about intolerance based on religion or belief, the OIC insisted on adding to the paragraph expressing deep concern with "Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Christianophobia," concern about religious "and other" communities. Nobody knows what "other" means – yet.