US votes against anti-Nazi resolution at UN

The United States on Thursday voted against a United Nations (UN) resolution condemning the veneration of Nazism saying it hindered freedom of speech, while raising concerns that Russia, the country that sponsored the resolution, was using it to carry out political attacks against its neighbors.

The resolution, entitled “Combating glorification of Nazism, Neo-Nazism and other practices that contribute to fueling contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,” was approved by the UN’s human rights committee on Friday, with 131 in favor, three against and 48 abstentions.

Ukraine and Palau joined the US in their opposition to the resolution.

The US condemns “without reservation all forms of religious and ethnic intolerance or hatred at home and around the world,” said Deputy US Representative to the Economic and Social Council Stefanie Amadeo stated.

“However, due to this resolution’s overly narrow scope and politicized nature, and because it calls for unacceptable limits on the fundamental freedom of expression, the United States cannot support it,” Amadeo said, explaining the US’ opposition.

She said the resolution recommends limitations on the freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to peaceful assembly, which contravene the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and must be opposed.”

Resolutions passed in General Assembly committees are not considered legally binding, unlike resolutions in the Security Council (UNSC) which have practical ramifications.

By: World Israel News Staff
AP contributed to this report