Statement by Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe
U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council
Condemning the Desecration of Holy Texts and Deliberate Offenses to Religious or Ethnic Groups
March 22, 2011
The United States condemns deliberate attempts to offend members of religious or ethnic groups, including the desecration of a holy text, as occurred yesterday with the Koran in the United States. The United States government in no way condones such acts of disrespect. President Obama has made clear that he considers it part of his responsibility as President to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they occur, a responsibility we share. The United States will continue to speak out against intolerance and instances of hate speech where they occur.