Free speech, religion and the United Nations : the political struggle to define international free speech norms /
Skorini, Heini í,
Free speech, religion and the United Nations : the political struggle to define international free speech norms / Heini í Skorini. - 1 online resource. - Routledge studies in religion and politics .
This book explores the political struggle to interpret and define the meaning, the scope and the implications of human rights norms in general and freedom of expression in particular. From the Rushdie affair and the Danish cartoon affair to the Charlie Hebdo massacre and draconian legislation against blasphemy worldwide, the tensions between free speech ideals and religious sensitivities have polarized global public opinion and the international community of states, triggering fierce political power struggles in the corridors of the UN. Inspired by theories of norm diffusion in International Relations, Skorini investigates how the struggle to define the limits of free speech vis-à-vis religion unfolds within the UN system. Revealing how human rights terminology is used and misused, the book also considers how the human rights vision paradoxically contains the potential to justify human rights violations in practice. The author explains how states exercise power within the field of international human rights politics and how non-democratic states strategically apply mainstream human rights language and secular human rights law in order to justify authoritarian religious censorship norms both nationally and internationally. This interdisciplinary book will appeal to scholars and students researching international human rights, religion and politics. The empirical chapters are also relevant for professionals and activists within the field of human rights.
9780429280030 0429280033 9781000129557 1000129551 9781000134698 1000134695 9781000124415 100012441X
Freedom of speech--Religious aspects.
Communication--Social aspects.
Religion and politics.
Human rights.
POLITICAL SCIENCE / General
BL65.F74
323.443
Free speech, religion and the United Nations : the political struggle to define international free speech norms / Heini í Skorini. - 1 online resource. - Routledge studies in religion and politics .
This book explores the political struggle to interpret and define the meaning, the scope and the implications of human rights norms in general and freedom of expression in particular. From the Rushdie affair and the Danish cartoon affair to the Charlie Hebdo massacre and draconian legislation against blasphemy worldwide, the tensions between free speech ideals and religious sensitivities have polarized global public opinion and the international community of states, triggering fierce political power struggles in the corridors of the UN. Inspired by theories of norm diffusion in International Relations, Skorini investigates how the struggle to define the limits of free speech vis-à-vis religion unfolds within the UN system. Revealing how human rights terminology is used and misused, the book also considers how the human rights vision paradoxically contains the potential to justify human rights violations in practice. The author explains how states exercise power within the field of international human rights politics and how non-democratic states strategically apply mainstream human rights language and secular human rights law in order to justify authoritarian religious censorship norms both nationally and internationally. This interdisciplinary book will appeal to scholars and students researching international human rights, religion and politics. The empirical chapters are also relevant for professionals and activists within the field of human rights.
9780429280030 0429280033 9781000129557 1000129551 9781000134698 1000134695 9781000124415 100012441X
Freedom of speech--Religious aspects.
Communication--Social aspects.
Religion and politics.
Human rights.
POLITICAL SCIENCE / General
BL65.F74
323.443