U.N. rights body ditches religious �defamation� ideaOne News Now (Link) - AP (March 27, 2011) The United Nations� top human rights body has replaced its traditional condemnation of religious �defamation� with a resolution supporting an individual right to freedom of belief. The unanimous vote Thursday by the U.N. Human Rights Council was welcomed by free speech advocates. Previous resolutions backed largely by Muslim countries sought to criminalize any criticism of religion that believers found offensive. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom says the new resolution �properly focuses on protecting individuals from discrimination or violence, instead of protecting religions from criticism.� The nonbinding vote calls on countries to guarantee people�s right to have or adopt a religion or belief of their choice. �
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