"Sensitive Words" on cover of Trouw section

Today's edition of Trouw newspaper in Holland ran a long feature article by me on the Human Rights Council, political Islam, and the future of freedom of expression in Europe. It appears on the cover of the "Words & Mind" section, under the title "Gevoelige Woorden" (Sensitive Words).

De filosoof Austin Dacey woonde een zitting bij in dit ’tragikomische theater aan de Rhône’ en zag dat een open debat over religieuze kwesties al bijna onmogelijk is geworden. „Godslastering is teruggekeerd op het politieke wereldtoneel.”

The entire article is available (in Dutch) online.

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.