UN's Arbour opposes "taboos" in human rights body

By Robert Evans

GENEVA, June 18 (Reuters) - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour voiced concern on Wednesday over "taboos" on discussion in a key U.N. forum of subjects that Islamic countries see as offending their religion.

Her comments followed a row at the forum, the 47-nation Human Rights Council, after Islamic countries intervened this week to stop mention of their system of sharia, or Islamic law, and the body's Romanian president appeared to back their stance.

"It is very concerning in a Council which should be... the guardian of freedom of expression, to see constraints or taboos, or subjects that become taboo for discussion," the former Canadian High Court judge told a news conference.

Arbour, who steps down this month after four years in the post, did not refer specifically to the incident in the Council on Monday when Egypt, backed by Pakistan and Iran, said referring to sharia there meant "crucifying" Islamic states."

But she pointed to treatment of homosexuals in many countries -- prosecuted as criminals in a number of Islamic and some other states -- as "fundamental" to debate on sexual discrimination around the world.

"It is difficult for me to accept that a Council that is the guardian of legality, prevents the presentation of serious analysis or discussion on questions of the evolution of the concept of non-discrimination," Arbour declared.

Monday's row centred on a scheduled three-minute speech on behalf of two non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and the Association for World Education (AWE), calling on Muslim countries to take firm action against "honour killings" and female genital mutilation.