Tuesday, December 01, 2009 GENEVA: The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief at the Office of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR) Asma Jahangir voiced shock on Monday at the outcome of the vote on the initiative to prohibit the construction of minarets in Switzerland, sources reported on Monday. "I have deep concerns at the negative consequences that the outcome of the vote will have on the freedom of religion or belief of members of the Muslim community in Switzerland. "Indeed, a ban on minarets amounts to an undue restriction of the freedom to manifest one's religion and constitutes a clear discrimination against the Muslim community in Switzerland," said Jahangir. As also stated by OHCHR's Human Rights Committee a month ago, such a ban runs counter to Switzerland's obligations under international human rights law, she added. "This vote reminds us that no societies are immune to religious intolerance. It is therefore ne...
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