UNGA adopts resolution deeming violence against holy books illegal
Monitors show the result of a United Nations General Assembly vote for a U.N. resolution upholding Ukraine's territorial integrity and calling for a cessation of hostilities after Russia's invasion, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 at U.N. headquarters. (AP File Photo)


The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, which deems all acts of violence against holy books as a violation of international law, amid repeated provocative attacks on the Muslim holy book Quran in Denmark and Sweden.

Muslim leaders and politicians have stressed that such desecrations and provocations are not covered by freedom of expression laws.

The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution drafted by Morocco by consensus.

It strongly deplored ''all acts of violence against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, as well as any such acts directed against their religious symbols, holy books, homes, businesses, properties, schools, cultural centers or places of worship, as well as all attacks on and in religious places, sites and shrines in violation of international law.''

On July 12, the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council also condemned recent attacks on the Quran despite Western countries’ votes against the resolution.

The resolution called for condemnation of attacks targeting the Quran and described them as ''acts of religious hatred.''