RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has released two reports on blasphemy.
The Legislation Factsheet on Blasphemy lists the 95 countries with legislation that criminalises insulting or offending religious feelings, figures, or symbols.
The report says this is inconsistent with international human rights laws protecting freedom of religion or belief or opinion and expression.
The Blasphemy Law Compendium documents the text of blasphemy laws in 95 nations. It says that blasphemy laws are often defended as a means to achieve peace and religious harmony in society, but in practice they promote government intolerance and discrimination against minorities, encouraging retribution.
The Commission continues to call for a repeal of all legislation criminalizing blasphemy. It is independent, set up by the US federal government to make policy recommendations with commissioners appointed by the President and Congressional leaders of both political parties.