U.N. panel adopts stance on religious freedom

U.S. officials praised a United Nations council for a new statement
on religious freedom that sidestepped a divisive debate sponsored by
Islamic countries over the "defamation of religions."

The UN Human
Rights Council on March 24 approved a resolution voicing concern about
"emerging obstacles" to religious freedom and growing "religious
intolerance, discrimination and violence."

The United States
supported the resolution, which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
called a "significant step forward" in global efforts to combat
"intolerance, discrimination and violence . . . based upon religion or
belief."