West Sees Free Speech At Risk In U.N. Racism Meet

They also warned in speeches to the U.N.`s Human Rights Council that they could not accept any pillorying of Israel as `racist`.

European countries signalled on Wednesday that they feared the universal right of free speech would be at risk if a United Nations conference on racism next month issues a call for a ban on "defamation of religion".

They also warned in speeches to the U.N.'s Human Rights Council that they could not accept any pillorying of Israel as "racist" nor any promotion of anti-Semitism at the Geneva gathering from April 20-24.

"The freedom of expression must be the cornerstone of our fight against racism," Sweden's delegate Frank Belfrage said. Britain's Human Rights Minister Mark Malloch Brown said limiting free speech would undermine tolerance.

Similar views have been expressed in the Council this week by Australia, France, Switzerland, Poland, Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic speaking for the 27-nation European Union, among others.

The issues of freedom of speech and anti-Semitism have been set by Western countries, including the United States, as among their "red lines" for participation in the gathering, dubbed Durban II.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who will preside over the conference, has sought to reassure doubters, arguing fears of anti-Semitic outbursts are unfounded.

But diplomats say memories of street marches targeting Jews in general at the first U.N. racism conference in Durban in 2001 remain strong and fears of a repeat have grown after protests in Europe over Israel's war against Palestinian militants in Gaza.

FULL TURNOUT URGED

U.N. officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have urged a full turnout for Durban II, arguing that combating racism, xenophobia and intolerance is a key task for the world body and its member countries.

So far, only Canada and Israel have said they will stay away. Israel said the anti-racism label for the gathering was a cover for the promotion of "blatant anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment".

The previous U.S. administration of George W. Bush walked out of Durban I and stayed aloof from preparations for Durban II, but President Barack Obama sent a team to Geneva last month to see how negotiations were progressing.

But last weekend the State Department said the text as it stood seven weeks before the conference opens is unacceptable and that U.S. officials would only take part next month if the declaration is radically altered.

The "defamation of religion" issue has been pushed hard in the United Nations in both New York and Geneva in recent years by the countries of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), backed by China, Russia and Cuba.

Pakistan told the Human Rights Council on Monday "sacrilegious documentaries, books and art exhibitions" targeting Islam had led to a surge of violence against Muslims.

Critics of the OIC, including dissident Muslims, say efforts to ban "defamation" are primarily aimed at cutting off criticism of the authorities in Islamic countries, including their treatment of women and followers of other religions.