The United Nations, with Pakistan as a co-sponsor, on Tuesday adopted a resolution titled “Promoting Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue and Tolerance in Countering Hate Speech”.
The resolution urges the international community to combat hate speech in all its forms and dimensions. It was approved unanimously at the United Nations headquarters in New York, with 44 in favor, 62 against, and 24 abstentions during the voting.
“It also recognizes with deep concern the overall increase in incidents of discrimination, intolerance and violence, regardless of actors, including cases motivated by Islamophobia in PP18, presented by Pakistan. A proposal, later joined by Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.” Read the statement of the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations.
Mr Bilal Chaudhry , Counsellor 🇵🇰🇺🇳 speaking after the adoption on the resolution proposed by Morocco
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to UN, NY (@PakistanUN_NY) July 25, 2023
on “Promoting interreligious a& intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech” Co-sponsored by Pakistan today by consensus at the United Nations. pic.twitter.com/x2pWYCqqod
It added that Pakistan, along with Malaysia and Egypt on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, had made efforts to include language in the text, under the terms of which the Assembly would prohibit all acts of violence against individuals. The actions were strongly condemned. Any such action directed against their religion or belief as well as their religious symbols, holy books, places of worship, religious places and shrines violates international law, adopted by the General Assembly. All these actions are strongly condemned by the first resolution. Violence against religious symbols and holy books.
On behalf of the Mission, Consul of Pakistan Mission Bilal Chaudhry expressed his deep satisfaction on the approval of the resolution.
He said the adopted text echoes the resolution on religious hatred, which was recently adopted at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, submitted by Pakistan on behalf of the OIC group.
The historic resolution at the Human Rights Council condemned “all advocacy and manifestations of religious hatred, including recent public and premeditated actions that desecrate the Koran” and called on countries to enact such laws. Enable the adoption of laws that can bring those responsible for such acts to justice. The advisor added.
Chaudhry said that Islamophobia is increasing due to repeated incidents of desecration of Holy Quran.
He said that these actions are not only aggravating the sentiments of more than two billion Muslims of the world but also a step to sabotage inter-faith harmony and peace.
Such incidents are also a manifestation of ethnic hatred and xenophobia, he said, and that legal restrictions on prevention, inaction, and refraining from speaking out encourage further incitement of hatred and violence.
The councilor also noted that the text adopted by the United Nations “does not seek to curtail the right to freedom of expression” but the “special duties and responsibilities” of the international community to protect inter-religious peace and harmony. tries to highlight
