The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has approved a disputed resolution condemning any acts that incite religious hatred following the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
Introduced during an urgent debate called for by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the draft resolution affirmed the need to hold those responsible for such hateful acts responsible, in line with international human rights commitments.
A total of 28 countries voted in favour, 12 against and 7 countries abstained from voting.
The resolution condemns any acts that promote discrimination, hatred and violence in any form, be it visual, written, spoken or via digital platforms.
The resolution also called on countries to introduce laws and policies that prevent acts of religious hatred and take resolute measures to ensure accountability.
The passed motion stipulated that the burning of the Holy Quran or any other holy book intentionally and publicly, with the purpose of encouraging discrimination or violence, is a provocative act and a clear indication of religious hatred.
Israeli forces raided Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday in an operation that the Palestinian health ministry said killed seven Palestinians, including a doctor, and left nine others wounded.
Recovery teams refloated the huge cargo vessel in the Port of Baltimore two months after the boat crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge and caused the span to collapse.
An infected blood scandal in Britain was no accident but the fault of doctors and a succession of governments that led to 3,000 deaths and thousands more contracting hepatitis or HIV, a public inquiry has found.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said on Monday.
The International Criminal Court prosecutor's office said on Monday it had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.