The Holy See has said that the precious gift of freedom of expression should not be misused and despising others.
Monsignor David Putzer the Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, made the remarks while addressing the 53rd ordinary session of the UN Human Rights Council.
“The desecration, destruction or disrespect for religious objects, symbols and places of worship”,are acts of abuse of “the precious gift of freedom of expression”, which “feed hatred, intolerance, and create greater polarization in society”.
Monsignor Putzer said, “to wilfully insult religious beliefs, traditions or sacred objects constitutes an attack on the human dignity of the believer.”
The session debated the recurrent desecration of the Quran in some European and other countries and approved a resolution urging member states to firmly prosecute acts of religious-based antagonism.
The document also referred to the incident in Stockholm, Sweden, on 28 June, when a man staged the burning of pages of the Muslim holy book outside a mosque, spurring worldwide condemnation, including that of Christian Churches.
The UN resolution called for the perpetrators to be held to account, in accord with “international human rights law.”
Noting that the “appalling” act “is particularly troubling”, as it also denigrated the first day of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, in his statement Monsignor Putzer recalled Pope Francis’ words in his recent interview to the United Arab Emirate’s daily ‘Al-Ittihad.
In the interview published on 3 July, the Pope said he was “outraged and disgusted” by the desecration, remarking that: “Any book considered sacred by its people must be respected out of respect for its believers, and freedom of expression must never be used as an excuse to despise others, and to allow this, must be rejected.”
“People of faith play an important role in constructing a world that upholds human dignity, protects human rights and promotes the common good.”
