UNHRC condemns Sweden Quran burnings

The UN Human Rights Council voted Wednesday to condemn recent Koran burning incidents, but many countries declined to back the resolution, fearing it encroached on free speech.

The UN Human Rights Council voted Wednesday to condemn recent Koran burning incidents, but many countries declined to back the resolution, fearing it encroached on free speech.

Pakistan and other Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries brought forward a debate and resolution after an Iraqi refugee burnt pages from the Koran outside Stockholm's main mosque last month. The incident triggering a diplomatic backlash across the Muslim world.

Argentina, China, Cuba, India, South Africa, Ukraine and Vietnam backed the resolution. Britain, the United States, European Union countries including France and Germany, plus Costa Rica and Montenegro, voted against the resolution. Benin, Chile, Mexico, Nepal and Paraguay were among the abstentions.