This is pretty dated, at least 4-5 years. The details may have changed but, I think the basic idea is still valid.
Around the world, free speech is being sacrificed on the altar
of
religion. Whether defined as hate speech, discrimination or simple
blasphemy, governments are declaring unlimited free speech as the enemy
of freedom of religion. This growing movement has reached the United Nations,
where religiously conservative countries received a boost in their
campaign to pass an international blasphemy law. It came from the most
unlikely of places: the United States.
While attracting surprisingly little attention, the Obama
administration supported the effort of largely Muslim nations in the
U.N. Human Rights Council to recognize exceptions to free speech for
any "negative racial and religious stereotyping." The exception was
made as part of a resolution supporting free speech that passed this
month, but it is the exception, not the rule that worries civil
libertarians. Though the resolution was passed unanimously, European
and developing countries made it clear that they remain at odds on the
issue of protecting religions from criticism. It is viewed as a
transparent bid to appeal to the "Muslim street" and our Arab allies,
with the administration seeking greater coexistence through the
curtailment of objectionable speech. Though it has no direct
enforcement (and is weaker than earlier versions), it is still viewed
as a victory for those who sought to juxtapose and balance the rights
of speech and religion.
