Source: Edith M. Lederer, The Associated Press, October 24, 2017
Three-quarters of the world’s people live in countries that either restrict the right to religion or belief or have “a high level of social hostility involving religion or belief,” the UN special investigator on religious rights said Tuesday.
Ahmed Shaheed told the General Assembly’s human rights committee that religious intolerance is prevalent globally — and rising around the world.
He said more than 70 countries currently have anti-blasphemy laws that can be used to suppress dissenting views, in violation of international human rights standards.
Image Source: United Nations envoy Ahmed Shaheed appears at the House of Commons human rights committee on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 in Ottawa. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)
