Followers of the Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) participate in a demonstration to demand the release of the Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi, accused on November 8, 2010 of having insulted Muhammad in Lahore, Pakistan. EFE / Rahat Dar
The republication of the Charlie Hebdo cartoon and the brutal attacks in France have reignited discussions on the boundaries of free speech. “Defamation of the Messengers (peace be upon them) is unacceptable under any pretext [and] disparagement of the Prophet Muhammad is not freedom of expression,” says the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which for many years has lobbied for an international ban on blasphemy. Such restrictions on freedom of expression are, in the eyes of the OIC, necessary because defamation and disparagement can lead to societal unrest, hatred and intolerance.