Report Launch Ceremony of Online Debate Freedom of Expression Gives One the Right to Insult : UK Chapter

Report launch ceremony of online debate with the motion being “Freedom of Expression Gives One the Right to Insult” was organized by MUSLIM Institute – UK Chapter at King’s College, Strand, London on Thursday, July 30, 2015. Representatives of different institutes, scholars, university students and professors, lawyers, journalists and analysts were present on the occasion. Research Associate of MUSLIM Institute Mr. Ali Asghar moderated the proceedings of ceremony. Brief report of ceremony is given below.

Opening Remarks (via video link) Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali Chairman, MUSLIM Institute I am thankful to all of you for sparing time and joining us on the invitation of MUSLIM Institute. The recent debate on “freedom of expression gives one the right to insult” has provoked a myriad of interesting ideas and workable material for researchers as well as for policy makers. By this debate and arguments of participant scholars, the results indicate that majority of voters are of the view that freedom of expression should not grant one the right to insult.

Thus it is not only demand of Eastern traditions and values, instead many intellectuals of West also do not include right to insult in freedom of expression in order to maintain peace and harmony in the society. However many intellectuals and researchers are of the view that insulting one person or a small minority cannot be the yardstick by which freedom of expression is measured. It is also discussed by Ms. Hilary Stauffer, “no where in the world ‘freedom of expression’ is an unrestricted right”. Article 18, 19 and 20, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right, grant the right of freedom of expression but at the same time these also describe certain exception zones.

On the occasion of report launch ceremony of online debate held in Islamabad last month, it was suggested by majority speakers that international consensus should be made on the issue of freedom of expression and right to insult to make policies acceptable for all. The beliefs and norms of societies and cultures that have been cherished and celebrated for centuries and even millennia, when that face insult or humility, hate among societies starts giving rise to social unrest. Therefore mutual understanding and tolerance of others’ ideas and views is necessary to move forward.