October 21, 2009

Human Rights and the Defamation of Religions

For several years, various UN bodies have enacted resolutions condemning the "defamation of religions," arising from the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. This raises complex issues at the intersection of domestic and international law and policy. How do states conceptualize the relationship between freedom of speech, censorship, blasphemy laws, and the prohibition on defamation or hate speech? Can theological debate and criticism of religion be disentangled from defamatory and violence-inciting speech? In what way is “defamation of religion” a human rights issue? How has this debate played out at the international level--what actors and states support or oppose these resolutions and why? What is the future prospect for enacting stricter condemnations of the defamation of religion?

This event was held at the Georgetown University Law Center campus at 550 First St. NW, Washington DC 20001. A map of campus, with the Hotung Building marked in red, is available here.

1:30-1:40: Welcome Remarks

Alex Aleinikoff, Dean, Georgetown Law

1:40-2:00: Introduction to the Issues

Abdullahi An-Na'im, Charles Howard Candler Professor, Emory Law School and Senior Visiting Fellow, Berkley Center

2:00-2:55: Panel 1: Defamation of Religions at the State Level

Moderator: Angela Wu, International Law Director, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
Knox Thames, Acting Executive Director, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
Sue Gunawardena-Vaughn, Senior Program Manager, Human Rights and Religious Freedom, Freedom House

3:00-3:55: Panel 2: International Human Rights in Tension

Moderator: Ted Piccone, Senior Fellow and Deputy Director for Foreign Policy, Brookings Institution
Abdullahi An-Na'im, Charles Howard Candler Professor, Emory Law School and Senior Visiting Fellow, Berkley Center
José Casanova, Professor, Department of Sociology, Georgetown University; Senior Fellow, Berkley Center
Tad Stahnke, Director of Policy and Programs, Human Rights First

4:00-5:00: Keynote Address

Frank LaRue, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression

5:00-6:00: Reception, Alumni Lounge, Hotung International Law Building