Extremists and their supporters have been attempting to forcefully retract this internationally recognized right. Many people may remember the deadly riots that erupted in Europe in late 2005, following the publishing of editorial cartoons depicting Mohammed in a less-than-favorable light. Several leaders of western nations quickly condemned the publishing of the cartoons, when instead they should have condemned the violent outbreak.

In November 2004, Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh was stabbed to death by Islamist Mohammed Bouyeri, following the production of the anti-Islam film Submission.

Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders was barred from entering England after producing the short-film Fitna that drew a connection between the Koran and violent behavior.

An Iranian fatwa (religious decree) calling for the execution of writer Salman Rushdie, for his novel The Satanic Verses, has never been rescinded. The United Nations is also a target of radical efforts to limit freedom of expression. Radical Muslims have attempted to codify limits on speech in a proposed non-binding resolution “combating defamation of religions,” which singles out "Islam and Muslims in particular.” The draft was prepared by Pakistan — a country with an appalling record when it comes to restrictions on religious freedom. Last year the U.N. Human Rights Council adopted a resolution against "defamation of religion", calling on governments around the world to clamp down on cartoonists, writers, journalists, artists and dissidents who dare to speak up. Most of these resolutions aim to limit the criticism and critical analyses of Radical Islamic practices and traditions. Radicals who seek to limit the freedoms of others frequently exercise their own rights to free speech. Those who exercise their freedom of speech against radicals are in grave danger of suffering violent attacks.