ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Human Rights Council Wednesday approved a Pakistan-backed motion on religious hatred in the wake of the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden. Last month, a man desecrated the Holy Quran in Sweden’s capital Stockholm, resulting in strong condemnation from several states, including Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iraq and Iran Pope Francis and the Swedish government. In response to the incident, a motion was brought by Pakistan that sought a report from the UN rights chief on the topic and called on states to review their laws and plug gaps that may “impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred”. As many as 28 countries — including China, India, South Africa, and Ukraine — voted in favour, 12 voted against, and seven countries abstained. DNA
