The Prohibition of Incitement to National, Racial or Religious Hatred: The Case of West Asian Arab Countries
Mohamed Saeed M. Eltayeb · Religion and Human Rights · 2012
Abstract This article aims at examining the question of the prohibition of incitement to national, racial or religious hatred in the Arab countries in West Asia, and the extent to which the promotion of freedom of expression requires states to punish advocacy that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. In analysing the legislation of Arab countries relating to the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial and religious hatred, the article notes that the emphasis has been on anti-blasphemy laws, which are essentially purported to protect religions or related beliefs rather than addressing the issue of the prohibition of incitement to hatred. Since those countries are characterized by an increasing national, racial and religious diversity as well as increasingly multicultural societies, it is of an utmost importance for them to adhere to the international framework for combating incitement to national, racial or religious hatred as articulated in this article.