VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia strongly condemns the burning of the Qur'an that occurred in several countries including Sweden. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the action was a provocative act that was very insulting to Muslims around the world.

"Mr. President, Indonesia strongly condemns the burning of the Qur'an in several countries, including Sweden. This provocation is very insulting to Muslims around the world," Foreign Minister Retno said in a video submitted to the UN Human Rights Council Session, Wednesday (12/7).

Retno said that this action was not a form of freedom of expression. According to her, the burning of the Quran is an act of Islamophobia and hatred towards Islam as a religion of peace.

"So stop abusing freedom of expression," she said.

Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that countries are obliged to prohibit the advocacy of religious hatred through law. Therefore, according to Retno, Indonesia urges the UN Human Rights Council and other mandate holders to give a strong response to this act of burning the Qur'an.

"Freedom of expression does not mean discriminating and hurting others," Retno said.

The UN Human Rights Council held an emergency session on Tuesday (11/7), related to the burning of the Qur'an in Sweden. The session was held at the proposal of Pakistan, representing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which asked countries to condemn attacks targeting the Qur'an.

After representatives of a number of countries delivered speeches, the UN Human Rights Council session resumed on Wednesday (12/7) to vote on a resolution condemning the burning of the Qur'an. Of the 47 votes cast, 28 countries voted in favor of the resolution, 7 abstained and 12 countries voted against.

Last month, a man named Salwan Momika, burned a copy of the Qur'an in front of a mosque in Stockholm, Sweden. This provocative act was carried out to coincide with Eid al-Adha and under police protection.

The act sparked widespread condemnation from the Islamic world, including Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Senegal and Mauritania. (VOI/Andy)