2009 News Archives IRLA Concerned over UN Defamation of Religions Resolution Posted August 21, 2009 Religious liberty proponents worry a new United Nations resolution that broadly seeks to protect religious ideologies may do so at the expense of individual freedoms of expression. International Think Tank to Tackle Thorny Defamation of Religions Issue Posted August 25, 2009 The oldest association dedicated to freedom of conscience for all people will gather its board of experts to discuss the hot button topic of hate speech and defamation of religions. Russian Experts Examine New Freedom of Conscience Violations Posted August 25, 2009 The most pressing problem in realizing the principle of freedom of conscience in present-day Russia is the necessity to oppose the ongoing violation of this principle at the federal, regional & local level. First Religious Liberty Festival in Jerusalem Draws Hundreds Posted August 26, 2009 Hundreds of religious liberty proponents from Israel and the Palestinian Territories gathered in Jerusalem Sunday for the symbolic city's first festival of religious freedom. Continued Activism Urged at Annual Religious Liberty Forum in Washington Posted August 27, 2009 A United States congressman told religious freedom proponents in Washington D.C. yesterday that while much has been done to further religious freedom, more needs to be done. IRLA Secretary-General Promotes Human Rights on National Swiss Radio Posted August 27, 2009 The interview concerning the United Nations and Human Rights focused on the issue of religious freedom in the world and the role of the United Nations. Is the UN burying human rights and religious freedom instead of promoting and defending them? Reject Defamation of Religions Laws, Panel of Experts Advises Posted September 8, 2009 Addressing the scope of proposed legislation against hate speech, members of the International Religious Liberty Association's Board of Experts drafted a statement deeming defamation of religions laws unnecessary last week Religious Freedom Association Forming in Mongolia Posted October 6, 2009 Religious freedom supporters in Mongolia this month moved to form a national chapter of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), a step they hope will encourage the government to implement greater principles of freedom of belief. IRLA Announces New United Nations Representative Posted October 6, 2009 A veteran religious freedom advocate has returned to the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) to represent the organization at the United Nations. IRLA Fights Against Global Blasphemy Law at the UN in Geneva Posted October 22, 2009 Among the items the UN Human Rights Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary Standards is considering this week in Geneva are provisions designed to create a global ban on speech that offends religious sensibilities. UN Vote Shows Waning Support for Limits on Religious Speech Posted November 16, 2009 On November 12th, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly once again voted on a proposal to restrict religious speech. The vote on the so-called “Defamation of Religions” resolution showed a continued decline in support for the dangerous proposition. IRLA Answers the Swiss Ban on Minarets Posted December 4, 2009 Swiss voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on minarets on Sunday, November 29, barring construction of the iconic mosque towers. The initiative was approved by 57% of the 2.67 million voters.