Anti-defamation resolution weakens, but still passes U.N. General Assembly

Yesterday the U.N. General Assembly adopted a draft of the now familiar resolution to combat the "defamation of religions." Pressure from the United States and other Western governments, along with a broad coalition of human rights groups, succeeded in weakening support for the resolution. This year it passed with 85 member states voting in favor, 50 against, and 42 abstaining, as compared with last year: 108 for, 51 against, and 25 abstaining.