UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a Pakistan-backed Moroccan resolution by consensus, strongly deploring attacks against religious symbols, holy books, and places of worship and calling for countering hate speech.
The 193-member Assembly approved the resolution, “Promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech,” amid increased incidents of desecrating the holy Quran.
According to diplomats, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Egypt spearheaded the attempts to resolution of the language intended to safeguard the sanctity of religious sites, symbols, and holy books. “Strongly condemning all acts of violence against individuals based on their religion or belief, as well as any such acts directed against their religious symbols, holy books, homes, businesses, properties, schools, or places of worship, as well as all attacks on and in shrines, religious places, and sites in violation of international law,” the paragraph reads.
In its revision, Spain requested the removal of the phrase “in violation of international law” that concludes that sentence. Speaking on behalf of the European Union, the Spanish representative emphasized that although such behaviors are incredibly unpleasant and disrespectful, they do not violate international law. As a result, the delegate advocated dropping the phrase “in violation of international law.” However, the proposal for amending the phrasing was rejected. Only 44 people supported it, and 62 opposed it. Twenty-four people refused to vote.
According to the resolution’s provisions, the General Assembly urged member states to collaborate with all pertinent parties to advance interreligious and intercultural dialogue, respect for diversity, and acceptance of individual differences. It also urged them to reject the spread of hate speech, which it deemed to be an incitement to prejudice, hostility, and violence. It further urged Member States and social media companies to combat hate speech and its growing prevalence, support research into countermeasures, and encourage users’ access to reliable reporting options.
On a resolution proposed by Pakistan and supported by Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, as reported by the diplomats, the Assembly also expressed grave concern over the rise in incidents of discrimination, intolerance, and violence, regardless of the perpetrators, including those motivated by Islamophobia. The resolution’s text resonated with one put forth by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It was recently approved at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, according to Bilal Chaudhry, the country’s representative, who expressed his “profound satisfaction” over its passage.
He highlighted the historic resolution as condemning “all advocacy and manifestations of religious hatred, including recent public and premeditated acts that have desecrated the Quran” and calling for nations to pass laws allowing them to prosecute individuals responsible for such crimes. “With the frequent instances of Holy Quran sacrilege, Islamophobia is rising. More than two billion Muslims worldwide had their sentiments hurt by these actions, which are also an attempt to undermine interfaith harmony and peace, said the Pakistani representative.
As Chaudhry noted, “Such incidents are also a manifestation of racial hatred and xenophobia, and the lack of preventive legal deterrence, inaction, and a reluctance to speak out encourages further incitement to hatred and violence.” The wording, he concluded, “does not seek to restrict the right to free expression, but rather attempts to highlight the special duties and responsibilities” of the world community to uphold interfaith peace and harmony. —APP
