GENEVA: The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, strongly condemned a series of incidents involving the burning of the Holy Quran in Europe earlier this year.
Turk’s remarks, delivered during the opening of the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, emphasized the imperative of upholding human dignity.
The issue of the Holy Quran burning is slated for discussion during the council’s upcoming session on October 6, reflecting the gravity of the situation and its implications for human rights and religious tolerance.
Denmark and Sweden witnessed a wave of protests in July that saw copies of the Holy Quran burned or otherwise desecrated, provoking widespread outrage in Muslim-majority countries. These events prompted calls for Nordic governments to take swift action to address the burnings and related acts of disrespect towards the Holy Quran.
Volker Turk’s condemnation underscores the importance of respecting religious beliefs and practices while promoting tolerance and understanding among diverse communities. Incidents involving the desecration of religious texts can have far-reaching consequences, both within the affected nations and internationally.
UN Rights Chief Warns of Human Rights Emergencies Caused by Climate Change
Volker Turk, issued a stark warning, highlighting the dire consequences of climate change on human rights across the globe. He emphasized the urgent need to combat the impunity of those responsible for environmental degradation.
Turk began his address by citing examples of the unfolding “environmental horror” driven by the global climate crisis. He recounted his visit to Basra, Iraq, where once lush date palms lined canals, but now, the region faces drought, extreme heat, rampant pollution, and dwindling freshwater supplies, resulting in desolate landscapes of rubble and dust.
“This escalating destruction constitutes a human rights emergency in Iraq and many other nations,” Turk asserted during the opening of the 54th council session in Geneva. He stressed that climate change is forcing millions of people into famine, destroying livelihoods, opportunities, homes, and lives. Urgent warnings have tragically transformed into deadly realities worldwide.
In addition to climate-related concerns, Turk expressed dismay at the growing indifference towards the escalating numbers of migrant deaths resulting from climate change-induced displacement. He highlighted over “2,300 people reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean this year” and drew attention to a tragic shipwreck off Greece in June, which claimed more than 600 lives.
Turk stressed the importance of countering the impunity of individuals and businesses involved in environmental exploitation and welcomed the proposal to recognize “ecocide” as an international crime.
