In a report presented last month to the UN General Assembly by the Commission on Human Rights, UN Special Rapporteur Asma Jahangir alleged that the United States had violated the Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Jahangir claimed that American citizens and media professionals had made statements that "could constitute incitement to religious hatred."
The U.S. Government responded to the allegations in a letter stating that the statements referred to are not illegal under U.S. law, and that the Government does not regulate speech merely as a result of disapproval of the ideas expressed.
U.S. Funds Mercenaries in DarfurExcerpt from UN report A/59/366:
On 28 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent to the Government of the United States information according to which acts of religious intolerance against Muslims and their religion has continued to occur throughout the country. In particular, it was reported that the number of hate crimes coincided with a rise in Islamophoic rhetoric in the public discourse in the United States. The Special Rapporteur gave some illustrations of alleged incidents whereby public persons or media professionals had portrayed or criticized Islam in ways that could constitute incitement to religious hatred as prohibited by article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
By letter of 3 August 2004, the Government of the United States of America underlined the importance of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the principle of freedom of expression. It further noted that because article 20 of ICCPR was susceptible to expansive interpretation that could run contrary to the freedom of expression, the United States had made a reservation to the Covenant stating that "article 20 does not authorize or require legislation or other action by the United States that would restrict the right of free speech and association protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States."
The statements referred to by the Special Rapporteur are not illegal under United States law. Although the United States Government finds them to be misguided and repugnant, the Government neither prohibits nor regulates speech merely as a result of disapproval of the ideas expressed. The United States criminal justice system rather penalizes specific unlawful actions as opposed to punishing speech itself. The Government's preferred approach to addressing hate speech is to confront it openly, to denouce it, and to promote tolerance, equality and similar ideals through competing speech. In this respect, it referred to a number of examples that illustrate the Government's commitment to free speech and religious tolerance.
The United States is using private contractors rather than sending American troops to provide logistical support for African forces headed to Sudan's troubled western region of Darfur. The U.S. government has awareded contracts worth more than $20 million to two companies, the PAE Group and Dyncorp. They will support the anticipated arrival of some 3,500 troops fromt he African Union in Sudan's Darfur region.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated yesterday that the cost to send thousands of troops to Darfur would be exorbitant. Annan then asked, "Who would pay?"
According to a policy report released by the U.S. Department of State, the United States is the largest doner of humanitarian aid to Darfur. The report states, "We have pledged $299 million through next year, of which $138.5 million has so far been spent."
The U.S. continues to provide support to the ongoing negotations between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. According to the U.S. Department of State, "These negotiations are related to the situation in Darfur since no comprehensive peace agreement can be reliably implemented while violence continues in Darfur."
Quotes & Quips
"We are growing and modernizing to meet the threats of the 21st century. To fulfill our primary mission of protecting the United States from terrorist attacks, we have changed our priorities. As a resut, our top three priorities are counterterrorism, counterintelligence and cyber security."
FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, speaking at the dedication of the Baltimore Field Office, October 15, 2004.
"In the last few years, the American people have gotten to know me. They know my blunt way of speaking. I get that from Mother. They know I sometimes mangle the English language. I get that from Dad."
President Bush, speaking at a Victory 2004 Rally, St. Petersburg, Florida, October 19, 2004.
"In a time of change, some things do not change, the values we try to live by, courage and compassion, reverence and integrity. In times of change, we must support institutions that give our lives direction and purpose, our families, our schools, our religious congregations. We stand for a culture of life in which every person matters and every being counts."
President Bush, speaking at a Victory 2004 Rally, St. Petersburg, Florida, October 19, 2004.
"I believe that millions in the Middle East plead in silence for their freedom. I believe women in the Middle East want to live in a free society. I believe the mothers and the fathers of the Middle East want to bring their children up in a free and peaceful world. I believe all these things, because freedom is not America's gift to the world, freedom is the Almighty God's gift to each man and woman in this world."
President Bush, speaking at a Victory 2004 Rally, The Villages, Florida, October 19, 2004.
"We speak to you from the heart as citizens from all across the country and every political stripe. We are Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, young and old, mothers and fathers, husbands and sisters, wives, brothers, sons, daughters, friends. We speak from a profound sense of obligation to those we have lost, and to the country that we love, guided by core principles. President Bush has steadfastly told us who he is, what he believes, and what he will fight for.
As Americans who have keenly felt the scourge of terrorism, we are inspired and energized to follow the President's lead, to rise to the occasion and get the job done. Three years ago, George Bush stood with us and vowed that he would never forget. We stand with him now."
Excerpt from an open letter to the American people, signed by 222 family members of 9/11 victims.