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Failing To Protect Rights, Again
A Muslim convert to Christianity was warned that he and his family would be burnt out of their home by his former co-religionists. When he complained to British police, he was told he should move out and "stop being a crusader."
So much for the Human Rights Act.
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) clearly states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance" (our italics, Article 9).
Why were Mr Nissar Hussein's rights not being accorded the full respect they are due under the terms of the Convention? The plainest articles of the ECHR are stretched by human rights lawyers to prevent the deportation of all manner of dangerous characters, yet when a case whose interpretation is as plain as the nose on one's face comes up, no-one seems to be able to do anything to protect the victim.
It is as if the authorities have decided that Islamic apostates - those Muslims who convert to Christianity - are deliberate provocateurs who abuse freedom of speech in order to offend their former brothers, and as such come under suspicion for breaking the new "Religious hatred" laws.
The organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide has done sterling work drawing attention to this under-reported phenomenon. Tomorrow (29 April) sees the release of its new report, No Place To Call Home, which records that British "apostates" aren't alone in the indifference they are afforded by authorities (though in some countries, Christians would be delighted with indifference):
"The experiences of apostates in Muslim countries are blatantly at odds with their rights as guaranteed under international law. Most Muslim nations are members of the UN and have ratified international human rights treaties. However, these nations and the international community have failed in their duty to uphold the rights of apostates by neglecting to guarantee their personal safety and their full and fair participation in society.
"This report calls on Muslim nations, the international community, the UN and the international media to resolutely address the serious violations of human rights suffered by apostates."
