Hate to say it

Americans, by a vast majority, favor the ability to publicly criticize religions. The same is not true in Muslim populations.

A major Muslim group, IOC, has proposed a debate within the UN to decide whether member states should punish people for "hate speech" directed towards religions.

The organization's concern is not unfounded. Hateful speech can trigger violence or make life difficult for any religious group--muslims included. The UN is relatively open to the notion of limiting free speech but it is hard to imagine that main members will find the proposal as entertaining.

Limiting free speech seems ironic, at best. The UN must be careful on such salient matters.