The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom’s legitimization of ‘hate speech’ restrictions undermines American principles and foreign policy.
The United States supports free speech and does not recognize any government ability to limit so-called ‘hate speech’. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has held repeatedly that government attempts to restrict ‘hate speech’ beyond traditional legal categories such as incitement to violence and defamation are unconstitutional violations of the First Amendment, and are inevitably vague and arbitrary.
American foreign policy should be based on those same principles.
Sean Nelson is legal counsel for global religious freedom at ADF International.
Follow on Twitter: @Sean_ADFIntl
