UN General Assembly
2012

of the problem and dwell on the real debate — the relationship between freedom of expression and social responsibilities, duties and obligations. The events we have witnessed cannot be defended under the pretext of human rights, freedoms and liberties. A line should be drawn when the prejudicial effect outweighs everything else. Malaysia has always maintained that freedom, including the freedom of expression, comes with responsibility. The drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I am sure, did not have denigration in mind when they cited the need to promote and protect the freedom of expression. Human rights need to be guaranteed by taking into account the cultural and historical sensitivities of a society. Nevertheless, they should also be applied without selectivity or discrimination. When we discriminate against women, it is called sexism; when African-Americans are criticized and vilified, it is called racism; when the same is done to the Jews, people call it anti-Semitism; and laws are legislated to persecute the perpetrators. But why is it that when Muslims are stigmatized and defamed, it is defended as