On March 24, 2016, the UN "Human Rights" Council adopted a resolution supposedly on combating terrorism - over the objections of Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and other European states victimized by Islamist terror.
The resolution, submitted by Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, has a number of provisions focusing on the media, that Western governments fear will be used as an excuse to justify the absence of freedom of expression.
The resolution provides:
"7. Encourages States to refrain from supporting terrorist groups in establishing propaganda platforms, such as electronic or satellite platforms or any other media on their territory for disseminating hatred or instigation...
10. Expresses its concern at the increasing use, in a globalized society, by terrorists and their supporters of information and communications technology, in particular the Internet and other media, to advocate, commit, incite, recruit for, fund or plan terrorist acts, urges States to take appropriate preventive measures in this regard while acting in full compliance with their international law obligations, and emphasizes the importance of cooperation among stakeholders in the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, including among States, international, regional and subregional organizations, the private sector and civil society, to address this issue, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and complying with international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter, and reiterates that such technologies can be powerful tools in countering the spread of terrorism, including by promoting tolerance, mutual respect and dialogue and understanding among peoples and peace, and in this regard notes with appreciation the constructive role played by the Cyber Observatory of Takfiri Fatwas in Egypt;...
15. Urges States and the international community to take measures, including through education, awareness-raising, the media and human rights education and training, to effectively address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and that make individuals and groups more vulnerable to the effects of terrorism and to recruitment by terrorists;..."